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a 


EPICS  AND  ROMANCES 
OF    THE    MIDDLE    AGES. 


FRONTISPIECE. 


©f  tbe  pXMdXe  liges. 


ADAPTED  BY  M.  W.  MACDOWALL,  FROM  THE  WORK  OF 


DR.   W.  WAGNER, 


AND    EDITED    BY 

W.  S.  W.  ANSON, 

Editor    of  Dr.    ll^gners  "Asgard  and   the    Gods:    the    Tales    and 
Traditions  of  our  Northern  Ancestors." 


tOitl)  Numerous  JllustnUious. 


FOURTH    THOUSAND. 


NEW  YORK : 
FORDS,   HOWARD,  &    HULBERT. 

18S7. 


INTRODUCTION. 


T  EGEND  is  not  history;  but  in  legend  we  find  embodied 
historical  truths,  manners  and  customs  of  past  ages,  beliefs 
and  superstitions  otherwise  long  forgotten,  of  which  history  itself 
takes  no  account.  Legend  has  preserved  for  us,  maybe  in 
romantic  dress,  maybe  under  altered  names  and  circumstances, 
stirring  pictures  of  heroes  and  heroines,  who  once  have  lived  and 
suffered,  fought  and  conquered,  or  have  faced  death  with  trustful 
courage  ;  pictures,  too,  of  men  of  equal  prowess,  as  strong  in  evil 
as  in  might,  who,  victorious  for  a  time,  have  yet  ever  met  a  stronger 
power  than  theirs,  stronger  in  virtue,  stronger  in  might. 

As  we  write,  the  shadowy  forms  of  terrific  Alboin  raising  aloft 
his  goblet  fashioned  from  royal  skull ;  the  noble  Siegfried  with 
his  loved  Chriemhild  and  the  jealous  Brunhild ;  brave  King' 
Dietrich ;  the  gentle,  patient  Gudrun  and  her  beauteous  mother 
Hilde,  all  flit  before  the  mind,  framing  themselves  into  a  vivid 
picture,  such  as  must  have  lived  in  the  imagination  of  our  early 
forefathers,  stirring  them  on  to  noble  actions,   restraining  them 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

from  evil  working.  Thus  has  good  in  all  ages  fought  against  ill, 
and  all  races  of  men  have  sung  its  victory  in  strains  but  slightly 
varying.  And  so  will  it  ever  fight,  no  matter  how  our  more 
elaborate  ideas  of  what  is  good  or  evil  may  vary :  the  nation 
always  glorifies  the  great  and  noble  according  to  its  own  un- 
reasoning reason. 

This  volume  contains  the  principal  hero-lays  of  the  six  great 
epic  cycles  of  the  Teutonic  Middle  Ages,  and  to  them  we  have 
added  the  great  mythical  Carolingian  cycle,  which  centred  round 
the  persons  of  Charlemagne  and  his  heroes.  The  latter  is  mostly 
of  Romance  origin,  and  was  composed  by  court  troubadours  for 
the  delight  of  the  royal  palace,  wherefore  it  never  became  the 
true  inheritance  of  the  masses.  Beside  these  French  poems, 
stand  the  Breton  ones  of  King  Arthur  and  his  Knights  of  the 
Round  Table,  which  later  on  took  up  the  legend  of  the  Holy 
Grail  into  their  very  heart,  and  at  this  period  found  their  way  to 
Germany,  where  they  met  with  a  more  romantic  and  poetic  treat- 
ment at  the  hands  of  the  court  minnesingers.  But  these  foreign 
importations  never  found  a  true  home  amongst  the  German 
people  ;  they  never  became  popular.  The  native  hero-lays  on 
the  other  hand,  even  though  less  beautiful  in  conception  and  in 
form,  lived  on  through  centuries,  and  even  to  this  day  exist, 
though  disguised  and  degraded.  For  in  the  market-places  of 
Germany,  and  at  the  few  old  English  fairs  that  yet  remain, 
the  pedlar  bookseller  gives  in  exchange  for  the  farthing  piece 
printed  versions  of  many  of  these  old  legendary  tales  :  Siegfried's 
battle  with  the  Dragon,  the  Rose-garden,  Alberic  and  Elbegast's 
adventures,    and   other  wondrous    histories    of    Teutonic    epical 


INTRODUCTION 


origin.  But  this  literature  is  fast  dying  out,  if,  indeed,  it  may  not 
by  this  time  be  said  to  be  already  dead.  In  Iceland,  however,  and 
in  the  Faroe  Isles,  tradition  still  holds  her  throne  unconquered. 
She  yet  sings  to  the  listening  greybeards,  to  the  men  and  women, 
and  to  the  growing  youth,  of  Odin  and  his  mighty  rule,  of  Honir 
and  the  wicked  Loki,  of  Thor  and  Frey,  and  Freya  Queen  of 
Heaven,  of  the  Fenris-wolf  and  the  Midgard-serpent.  In  the 
long  winter  nights  she  still  tells  of  bold  Sigurd's  (Siegfried) 
deeds  and  battles,  of  Gudrun's  faithful  love  and  dumb  grief 
beside  the  body  of  her  lord,  of  Gunnar's  marvellous  harping  in  the 
garden  of  snakes,  and  the  listeners  hold  it  all  in  their  memory, 
that  they  may  sing  and  tell  it  to  their  children  and  their  children's 
children.  And  so  do  they  cherish  the  time-old  legends  of  their 
fathers,  that  the  ardent  youth  may  still  be  heard  to  adjure  his 
bride  to  love  him  "  with  the  love  of  Gudrun,"  the  master  revile  his 
dishonest  workmen  as  "  false  as  Regin  "  (the  evil  dwarf),  and  the 
old  men  to  shake  their  heads  and  say  of  the  daring  lad,  that  he  is 
"  a  true  descendant  of  the  Wolsings."  At  the  dance,  Sigurd-songs 
are  yet  sung,  at  Christmastide  a  grotesque  Fafnir  takes  his  part 
in  the  mummery.  Thus  old  German  tradition  in  her  wane  has 
found  an  asylum,  perhaps  a  last  resting-place,  in  the  far  North, 
driven  from  their  first  home  by  strangers,  the  myths  of  Greece  and 
Rome.  Every  schoolboy  can  tell  of  Zeus  and  Hera,  of  Achilles 
and  Odysseus,  every  schoolgirl  of  the  golden  apples  of  the 
Hesperides,  of  Helen,  of  Penelope ;  yet  to  how  many  of  our  older 
folks,  even,  are  the  grand  forms  of  Siegfried,  Chriemhild,  and 
Brunhild  more  than  mere  names  ? 

It  is  true  that  a  tendency  is  now  springing  up  in  England  and 


lo  INTRODUCTION-.. 

in  Germany  once  more  to  enquire  into  these  old  tales,  nay  beliefs/ 
of  our  common  ancestry.  It  is  true  that  we  have  a  Morris  and 
they  a  Wagner ;  but  we  should  wish  to  see  the  people  of  both 
nations  take  a  more  general  interest. in  a  subject  of  such  intrinsic 
worth  to  them,  their  long-forgotten  heritage.  It  is  not  the  history 
of  class-books  that  they. will  find  in  it — it  is  that  of  their  fathers' 
manners  and  customs,  of  their  joys  and  sufferings,  their  games  and 
occupations,  festivals  and  religious  observances,  battles,  victories 
and  defeatS)  their  virtues  and  their  crimes.  Such  is  the  golden 
field  that  lies  beneath  our  feet,  which,  unheeded,  we  have  let  lie 
fallow,  till  it  has  almost  faded  from  memory. 

In  a  previous  volume,  Asgard  and  the  Gods,  the  Tales  and 
Traditions  of  our  Northern  Ancestors,  we  have  endeavoured  to 
give  an  account  of  the  religion  of  our  ancient  Norse  parents.  In 
this  volume  we  are  occupied  with  their  legendary  lore. 

To  what  extent  these  legends  formed  a  part  of  their  religion 
proper  it  is  impossible  for  us  now  to  say.  Of  later  origin  and 
more  poetic  treatment,  they  stood  in  a  similar  position  toward  the 
old  Teutons  as  the  later  Greek  heroic  legend  stood  to  the  Greeks 
of  history.  Some  say,  and  the  learned  Grimm  amongst  them,* 
that  the  heroes  were  historical  men  raised  to  the  dignity  of  gods, 
others  that  they  were  humanized  gods  themselves ;  but  may  be 
neither  theory  is  exactly  true,  though  both  contain  a  portion  of 
the  truth.  In  the  hero-legends  we  certainly  find  heroes  possessed 
of  the  distinctive  attributes  of  certain  gods,  and  we  are  tempted 
to  add  others  to  their  characters,  but  we  consider  that  these  divine 

•  "  Teutonic  Mythology,"  translated  by  J.  S.  Stallybrass.    Vol.  i.  p.  315. 


INTRODUCTION. 


qualities  were  looked  upon  rather  as  divine  gifts  of  the  gods  and 
did  not  thereby  exactly  deify  the  recipients.  It  was  similar  with 
the  Greeks,  and  perhaps  with  all  nations  at  a  stage  when  their 
heroes  really  formed  an  essential  element  in  their  belief.  The 
gods  were  never  human  heroes,  the  heroes  never  became  gods, 
though  each  approached  the  other  so  nearly  that  we  are  often 
misled  into  assuming  that  they  were  identical. 


W.  S.  W.  ANSON. 


CONTENTS. 


PART  FIRST. 


THE  AMELUNG  AND  KINDRED  LEGENDS. 


I.  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 


t.  Alboin  and  Rosamund 

2.  King  Rother. 

3.  Ortnit    .       ,       ,       . 


PAGE 
19-27 

28-54 
55-81 


II.  THE  AMELUNGS. 

1.  HUGDIETERICH  and  WOLFDIETERICH 82-114 

2.  King  Samson 1x5-124 

3.  DiETWART 125-135 


III.  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 


r.  Dietrich  and  Hildebrand. 

2.  Dietrich's  Comrades  . 

3.  Dietrich's  Adventures 

4.  Dietrich  the  Faithful  Ally 

5.  Ermenrich — The  Harlungs 

6.  King  Etzel— Walter  of  Wasgenstein— Hildegunde 

>3 


135-151 
152-172 
173-190 
I9I-I98 
199-208 
209-213 


U  CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

7.  Etzel  and  Dietrich  against  the  Reussen   ....    214-215 

8.  The  Battle  of  Ravenna 216-221 

9.  Going  Home 222-226 


PART  SECOND. 

THE  NIBELUNG  AND  KINDRED  LEGENDS. 

I.  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 

T.  Siegfried's  Youth 229-237 

2.  Siegfried  in  Burgundy 238-242 

3.  The  Dragonstone 243-252 

4.  The  Wooing  of  Brunhild 253-260 

5.  Treason  and  Death 261-273 

II.  THE  NIBELUNGS'  WOE. 

1.  King  Etzel's  Wooing  .  274-278 

2.  The  Burgundians  Visit  Hunland 279-299 

3.  The  Nibelungs'  Lament 300-306 

III.  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

1.  Hagen .  307-314 

2.  Hettel  the  Hegeling  and  his  Heroes 315-320 

3.  Gudrun 321-330 

4.  Queen  Gerlind    ....  331-339 

5.  Battle  and  Victory 340-346 

IV.  BEOWULF. 

1.  Grendel 347-348 

2.  Beowulf,  the  Bold  Diver 349-354 

3.  The  She- wolf  of  the  Sea.        . 354-357 

4.  Beowulf  is  made  King .  357-359 

5.  The  Fight  with  the  Dragon  ........  359-364 


CONTENTS.  15 


PART  THIRD. 

/.  THE  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

PAGE 

1.  The  Children  of  Haymon 367-396 

2.  Roland .        .               .       .  397-407 

3.  William  of  Orange    .       .               408-418 

//.  LEGENDS  OF  KING  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

1.  TiTUREL 419-426 

2.  Percival 427-452 

3.  Lohengrin 453-462 

4.  Tristram  and  Isold .       .       .-  463-474 

///.   TANNHAUSER. 

Legend  of  Tannhauser 475-482 


PART    FIRST. 
THE  AMELUNG  AND  KINDRED  LEGENDS. 


I.  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 
IL  THE  AMELUNGS. 
IIL  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 


ALBOIN  AND  ROSAMUND. 


Alboin. 


N  TROUBLED  by  the  conscien- 
tious scruples  of  the  historian,  the 
poet  throws  the  glamour  of  his  genius  over  the  events  he 
relates,  when  taking  for  his  theme  the  great  deeds  of  the  past, 
he  strives  to  make  them  live  in  the  hearts  of  his  hearers. 

The  story  of  Alboin  and  Rosamund  has  a  strictly  historical 


20  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

foundation,  although  many  poetic  liberties  have  been  taken  with 
it.  For  instance,  it  is  contrary  to  fact  that  the  heroes  of  this  and 
the  following  tale  were  predecessors  of  Theoderic,  for  Alboin  did 
not  march  into  Italy  at  the  head  of  his  Langobards  until  the  year 
568  A.D.,  whereas  Theoderic  died  in  526,  and  his  Gothic  empire 
was  destroyed  in  553.  Nevertheless  we  give  the  stories  in  their 
poetical  order,  as  the  natural  connection  between  them  is  thus 
kept  up. 

The  Germanic  Gepidae  and  Langobards  and  the  Asiatic  Avars 
were  inhabitants  of  Pannonia  {i.e.  Hungary  and  the  neighbouring 
provinces)  at  the  time  this  story  begins.  War  and  hunting  were 
the  occupations  of  the  freemen,  while  the  serfs  tended  the  flocks 
and  herds,  and  cultivated  the  land. 

Now  it  happened  that  Alboin,  son  of  the  Langobardian  ruler 
Audoin,  conquered  and  slew  a  son  of  Thurisind,  king  of  the 
Gepidae,  in  fair  fight.  He  then  took  possession  of  the  armour 
of  his  vanquished  foe,  and  bore  it  in  his  arms  to  his  father's  hall, 
just  as  the  warriors  of  his  race  were  assembling  there  to  hold 
high  festival.  He  would  have  joined  them,  but  his  father  forbade 
him,  saying  that  it  had  always  been  held  by  the  sages  of  the  olden 
time,  that  no  prince  was  worthy  to  sit  at  the  table  of  heroes  until 
he  had  been  given  a  suit  of  mail  by  some  foreign  king.  The 
young  man  snatched  up  his  battle  axe,  but  remembering  in  time 
that  it  was  his  father  who  stood  before  him,  turned  and  left  the 
hall.  He  mounted  his  charger,  and  set  out  with  his  train  for  the 
land  of  the  Gepidae.  He  arrived  at  the  royal  stronghold  when 
King  Thurisind  was  feasting  with  the  princes  of  his  people. 

Alboin  approached  the  king,  and  placing  himself  under  pro- 
tection of  the  laws  of  hospitality,  begged  that  he  might  be 
furnished  with  a  suit  of  armour  forthwith.  The  Gepidae  were 
displeased  with  the  boldness  of  his  manner,  but  Thurisind  re- 
ceived him  kindly,  and  gave  him  a  seat  at  his  side. 


ALB O IN  AND  ROSAMUND.  21 


Many  beakers  were  drunk,  and  the  conversation  at  table  grew 
more  and  more  unfriendly,  for  Kunemund,  the  king's  eldest  son, 
was  angry  and  jealous  at  a  stranger  being  given  his  place  beside 
the  king.  To  prevent  further  disagreement,  Thurisind  sent  for  the 
minstrels  to  come  and  enliven  the  company. 

They  came.  They  sang  the  glorious  deeds  of  their  forefathers, 
and  especially  those  done  by  Aldarich,  who  destroyed  the  power 
of  the  Huns.  Lastly,  they  called  upon  the  young  men  before 
them  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  their  ancestors,  careless  whether 
Fortune  rewarded  their  efforts  or  not. 

"Yes,"  said  Kunemund  when  the  song  was  ended,  "Fortune  is 
blind  and  throws  her  favours  at  the  feet  of  mean-spirited  creatures 
with  white  bands  round  their  knees,  that  make  them  look  for 
all  the  world  like  white-legged  hacks,  and  every  one  knows  it  takes 
a  deal  of  beating  to  make  them  go !  " 

The  Langobards  always  wore  the  white  bands  alluded  to,  so 
they  knew  that  the  scornful  words  were  directed  against  them. 
Alboin's  blood  was  up  in  a  moment.  He  started  to  his  feet  and 
told  KUnemund  to  go  to  the  place  where  he  had  fought  his 
brother,  and  there  he  would  see  how  shrewdly  the  "  white-legged 
hacks  "  could  kick. 

A  tumult  immediately  arose,  which  was  with  difficulty  calmed 
by  the  old  king,  who  then  gave  Alboin  the  armour  he  had  craved, 
and  sent  him  away  with  his  followers  without  loss  of  time,  lest 
worse  should  come  of  it,  and  the  rights  of  hospitality  be  broken. 

As  Alboin  rode  away  he  passed  Rosamund,  Kiinemund's  fair 
little  daughter,  who  was  playing  at  shuttlecock  with  her  maidens, 
and  as  he  passed  he  looked  at  her  long  and  earnestly. 


Rosamund. 


Peace  lasted  between  the    Langobards  and   Gepidae  while  the 
old   kings   Audoin  and  Thurisind  lived,  but  after  their  death  a 


22  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

bloody  feud  broke  out  between  the  rival  tribes.  At  length 
Kunemund  and  many  of  the  noblest  Gepidae  fell  under  the  axes 
of  Alboin  and  his  people.  Upon  which  the  Langobardian  king 
had  his  enemy's  skull  set  as  a  goblet  in  a  silver  rim,  and  used  it 
for  drinking  solemn  toasts  at  the  great  feasts.  Then  he  married 
Rosamund,  and  she,  poor  soul,  hated  him  as  the  murderer  of 
her  father.  She  had  to  feign  love,  though  she  would  willingly 
have  strangled  her  husband  with  her  own  hands.  She  bore  her 
lot  as  well  as  might  be,  all  the  while  nursing  the  secret  hope  that 
she  might  one  day  avenge  her  father's  death. 

Alboin  had  no  idea  of  the  thoughts  that  filled  his  wife's  heart. 
Intent  on  conquest,  he  crossed  the  Alps  into  Italy  at  the  head 
of  his  own  people,  of  those  Gepidae  who  had  followed  the 
fortunes  of  their  princess,  and  of  other  adventurers  who  had  joined 
his  train.  This  he  did  in  response  to  an  invitation  from  the 
Roman  general  Narses,  victor  over  the  Ostrogoths,  who  feeling 
himself  slighted  by  the  imperial  court,  had  determined  on  ven- 
geance. Alboin  carried  all  before  him,  and  destroyed  every  town 
and  fortress  that  did  not  at  once  open  its  gates  to  receive  him. 
Pavia  alone  offered  a  long  resistance.  During  his  three  years' 
siege  of  that  city,  the  Langobardian  king  made  raids  into  the 
neighbouring  country  and  brought  it  under  his  rule.  One  warrior 
alone  was  equal  to  him  in  prowess,  and  that  was  Peredeus,  a  giant, 
who  was  said  to  possess  the  strength  of  twelve  ordinary  men.  At 
last  the  gates  of  Pavia  opened,  and  Alboin,  who  had  sworn  to 
put  the  inhabitants  to  fire  and  sword,  rode  in  under  the  archway. 
Just  then  his  horse  stumbled,  and  a  priest  exclaimed  that  this 
was  an  omen  that  he  should  die  a  violent  death  if  he  kept  his 
word.  The  king  believed  the  warning,  forgave,  and  spared  the 
city. 


ALBOIN   FORCES   ROSAMUND   TO   DRINK   OUT  OF   HER    FATHER'S   SKULL. 


ALBOIN  AND  ROSAMUND. 


The  Regicide. 

Alboin  gave  a  great  feast  to  his  warriors,  at  which  much  of  the 
fiery  wine  of  the  south  was  consumed.  The  talk  of  the  guests 
was  of  the  great  deeds  of  Wodan,  the  god  of  battles,  and  how 
he  and  Frigga  had  led  their  fathers  to  victory  ;  then  they  spoke 
of  their  own  conquest  of  the  Gepidae  and  their  victories  in  Italy. 

In  the  midst  of  this,  Alboin,  intoxicated  with  wine  and  pride, 
commanded  that  the  goblet  made  out  of  Kiinemund's  skull  should 
be  brought,  and  turning  to  queen  Rosamund  desired  her  to  pledge 
him  it.  She  hesitated.  "Why,"  he  cried,  "know  you  not, 
Rosamund,  that  I  love  you  more  than  aught  in  the  world  besides  ? 
Show  me  now  your  love  and  obedience  by  doing  what  I  bid  you." 
She  looked  at  him  in  silent  entreaty,  but  her  hesitation  aroused 
his  anger.  He  raised  his  hand  to  strike  her — and  then — she  lifted 
her  murdered  father's  skull  to  her  lips.  None  could  tell  whether 
she  drank  or  not,  for,  flinging  the  goblet  on  the  table  so  violently 
that  the  wine  ran  out,  she  said,  "  I  have  obeyed  you,  but  you 
have  lost  your  wife."  Having  uttered  these  words,  she  rose  and 
left  the  room. 

A  hoarse  murmur  of  indignation  passed  from  mouth  to  mouth, 
for  no  one  approved  of  what  the  king  had  done.  And  he, 
suddenly  sobered  by  his  wife's  words  and  action,  got  up  and 
left  the  hall. 

Alboin  did  not  see  Rosamund  again  until  the  following  day, 
when  she  went  about  her  usual  duties  quietly.  The  insult  seemed 
to  be  forgiven  and  forgotten.  But  Rosamund  could  neither  forgive 
nor  forget  She  dreamed  of  vengeance.  At  last  she  persuaded 
Helmigis,  the  king's  shield-bearer,  to  murder  his  master ;  but 
when  the  moment  for  action  came,  he  feared  to  do  the  deed. 
So  the  queen  turned  to  Peredeus  for  help,  and  by  means  of 
flattery  and   sweet  words   brought  him   over  to  her  side.     One 


26  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 


evening  he  slipt  into  the  king's  room  and  slew  him.  Before 
Alboin's  death  became  known,  the  conspirators,  of  whom  there 
were  many,  got  possession  of  the  royal  treasure,  and  hid  it  away 
in  a  secret  place.  Soon  after  this,  Rosamund  announced  her 
betrothal  to  Helmigis,  and  named  him  as  Alboin's  successor  in 
royal  power. 

The  nobles  assembled  to  debate  this  point,  and,  after  much 
discussion,  it  was  agreed  by  a  large  majority  that  the  murderer 
of  the  great  Alboin  was  the  last  man  who  ought  to  succeed 
him ;  that  he  should  rather  be  punished  for  his  crime.  Hearing 
how  matters  were  going  on  in  the  council,  the  conspirators  fled. 

The  Retribution. 

Guarded  by  her  faithful  Gepidae,  Rosamund  and  her  accomplices 
reached  Ravenna  in  safety  with  the  treasure  they  had  carried 
away  with  them.  There  they  placed  themselves  under  the  pro- 
tection of  Longinus,  exarch  or  viceroy  of  the  Eastern  emperor. 
They  had  not  been  there  long  when  Longinus,  having  fallen 
desperately  in  love  with  the  fair  widow,  or  with  the  wealth  of 
which  she  was  possessed,  asked  Rosamund  to  marry  him,  and 
she  at  once  consented  on  condition  that  the  viceroy  freed  her 
from  Helmigis,  to  whom  she  was  already  bound.  Longinus  gave 
her  a  cup  of  wine  mixed  with  a  deadly  poison,  telling  her  to  give 
it  to  Helmigis  the  next  time  he  complained  of  thirst.  This  she 
did.  Her  victim  drained  half  the  goblet  at  a  draught.  The 
poison  was  so  strong  that  he  immediately  felt  he  was  doomed, 
and  drawing  his  sword,  forced  her  to  finish  what  he  had  left. 
Thus  the  murderers  died,  and  their  great  treasure  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  Roman  viceroy.  But  the  story  tells  us  that  wealth 
did  not  make  him  happy,  and  that  it  was  the  ultimate  cause  of 
his  death. 

We  have  still  to  learn  what  became  of  Peredeus,  the  giant.     He 


ALBOIN  AND  ROSAMUND.  27 


was  so  used  to  deeds  of  violence  that  he  thought  the  murder  of 
Alboin  a  mere  nothing.  Placing  himself  at  the  head  of  a  band 
of  Gepidae,  he  set  out  for  Constantinople  and  offered  his  services 
to  the  emperor.  His  great  strength  gained  him  a  high  position 
at  court,  and  raised  him  in  his  master's  favour.  As  time  went  on 
he  became  discontented  with  the  treatment  he  received,  thinking 
it  hardly  consistent  with  the  gratitude  he  deserved  for  his  manifold 
services.  Some  of  his  angry  words  were  repeated  to  his  master, 
who  determined  to  make  him  powerless  to  hurt  the  throne.  One 
night,  when  Peredeus  was  snoring  off  the  effects  of  a  drunken 
orgy,  a  number  of  men  crept  into  his  room,  chained  him  hand 
and  foot,  and  put  out  his  eyes.  His  howls  of  pain  were  so  terrible 
that  they  made  all  in  the  palace  and  neighbourhood  tremble. 

The  blind  giant  showed  himself  quiet  and  obedient,  so  that  his 
guards  ceased  to  fear  him,  but  still  they  never  took  off  his  chains 
until  one  evening  he  begged  to  be  allowed  to  wrestle  before  the 
emperor,  maintaining  that  his  strength  was  unabated.  He  was 
led  into  the  great  hall,  and  there,  amid  the  general  applause, 
proved  himself  as  mighty  an  athlete  as  he  had  ever  been.  Sud- 
denly he  heard  the  emperor's  voice,  and  dashing  in  that  directioa 
plunged  a  knife  he  had  concealed  about  his  person  into  the  hearts 
of  two  great  officials  of  the  court,  whom  he  mistook  for  the 
emperor.  A  few  minutes  more  and  he  had  fallen  under  the  spears 
of  the  body-guard. 

So,  one  by  one,  the  murderers  of  Alboin  all  came  to  a  violent 
end,  and  the  Langobards,  for  want  of  their  leader,  failed  to  gain 
full  possession  of  the  fair  southern  land  they  had  come  to  regard 
as  their  own. 

Occasionally  their  power  was  revived  for  a  time  by  some  able 
king,  such  as  Rotharis  (636-52)  the  subject  of  the  following 
legend,  till  it  was  finally  broken  by  Charlemagne  the  Frank  (774). 


28 


LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 


KING  ROTHER 
(RUOTHER). 

The  Twelve  Messengers. 

!ARI  is  the  name  of  an  Italian 
town  which,  small  and  unim- 
portant as  it  is  now,  was  once  a  mighty  sea-port.  In  those  old 
days  the  harbour  was  deep  and  large  and  full  of  ships,  while  in 
the  town  itself  were  numerous  palaces  and  houses  surrounded 
by  gardens  and  orange-groves.        x 

Here  it  was  that  the  great  and  glorious  King  Rother,  the 
father  of  his  people  and  the  terror  of  his  foes,  held  court  amongst 
the  dukes,  counts  and  nobles  of  the  land.  The  race-course  was 
close  to  the  sea,  and   there   the   young  warriors  were  wont  to 


KING  ROTHER.  29 


congregate,  to  throw  the  spear  and  practise  such  sports  as  teach 
agility,  while  the  women  and  maidens  looked  on  and  distributed 
prizes  to  the  successful  candidates  for  honour. 

One  day  King  Rother  was  seated  on  his  throne  surrounded 
by  his  counsellors,  watching  now  the  people,  now  the  sports,  and 
now  the  restless  waves  that  were  beating  against  the  shore. 
There  was  a  troubled  look  upon  his  face.  Turning  to  his  old 
and  faithful  banner-bearer,  Duke  Berchther  of  Meran,  who  sat 
beside  him,  "  Look,"  he  said,  "  do  you  see  how  the  waves  raise 
their  foam-crowned  heads  high  in  the  air,  dash  forward,  and  then 
vanish  without  leaving  a  trace  behind .-'  The  kings  of  the  earth 
resemble  them  in  this,  so  indeed  do  all  men." 

"  What  do  you  say  ?  "  cried  the  duke.  "  Do  you  not  hear  how 
many  songs  are  sung  in  your  praise  ?  Know  you  not  that  such 
songs  live  on  from  generation  to  generation,  and  that  your  name 
and  deeds  will  therefore  be  spoken  of  with  admiration  till  the 
end  of  time  ?  " 

"  That  is  poor  comfort,"  replied  the  king.  "  What  is  the  future 
to  me,  when  the  present  is  so  tame  and  joyless  ?  A  happy  home 
were  better  to  me  than  the  songs  of  which  you  speak.  There 
go  your  seven  sons,  bold  Leupold  at  their  head,  their  helmets 
wreathed  in  token  of  victory.  You  live  a  second  life  in  them, 
and  their  love  will  sustain  you  in  your  old  age.  What  good 
is  my  throne  to  me  ?  I  have  not  wife  nor  child.  I  shall  wither 
Vke  an  old  tree,  or  become  the  laughing-stock  of  children  in  my 
age!" 

"  Then  why  do  you  not  marry  ? "  asked  the  duke,  laughing 
heartily.  "  You  are  in  your  prime  and  a  famous  warrior.  You 
might  pick  and  choose  any  one  you  liked  for  a  wife,  no  one  would 
say  you  nay,  from  a  simple  maiden  to  a  high-born  princess." 

"You  say  that  I  am  free  to  choose,"  said  Rother  bitterly; 
"  kings  are  more  fettered  in  their  choice  than  other  men.     They 


30  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

must  marry  in  their  own  degree,  or  their  children  cannot  succeed 
them,  and  may  even  live  to  curse  them.  I  have  travelled  in  many 
lands,  but  I  have  never  yet  seen  the  princess  I  could  have  wished 
to  make  my  wife." 

*'  Nay  then,  sire,  if  you  are  so  hard  to  please,"  returned 
Berchther  after  a  deep  and  thoughtful  silence ;  "  I  think  I  know 
of  a  lady  who  might  suit  you,  if  you  are  willing  to  risk  your  head 
for  her  sake." 

The  king  desiring  further  information,  Berchther  showed  him 
the  portrait  of  a  lovely  giri,  who,  he  said,  was  the  daughter  of 
the  Emperor  of  Constantinople.  Rother  could  not  take  his  eyes 
off  the  picture,  and  exclaimed  that  she,  and  she  alone,  must  be 
his  wife. 

"  Very  good,  my  lord,"  said  Berchther ;  "  but  that  is  a  more 
difficult  matter  to  bring  about  than  you  think.  I  must  explain 
what  I  mean.  The  Emperor  Constantine  is  so  devoted  to  his 
daughter  that  he  will  not  part  with  her  ;  and  if  any  man — be 
he  count,  duke  or  king — is  bold  enough  to  go  and  ask  for  her 
hand,  he  at  once  orders  his  head  to  be  cut  off.  And  what  is 
the  good  of  a  headless  wooer } " 

"  I  think,"  answered  Rother,  "  that  I  shall  meet  with  a  better 
reception  than  that.  The  emperor  of  the  East  will  know  how 
to  bear  himself  to  the  ruler  of  the  West.  But  now  call  my 
counsellors  together,  that  I  may  tell  them  what  I  intend  to  do." 

When  the  council  was  assembled,  the  king  told  his  ministers 
the  whole  story,  adding  in  conclusion  that  he  intended  to  do  his 
wooing  in  person.  They  strongly  dissuaded  him  from  this,  upon 
the  plea,  that  the  king,  being  the  chief  of  the  state,  had  no  right 
to  endanger  its  safety  by  risking  his  head  unnecessarily.  Rother 
at  last  gave  way,  much  against  his  will.  The  debate  as  to  wli ) 
should  go  to  Constantinople  lasted  a  long  time,  for  each  man 
felt  that  his  head  was  of  at  least  as  much  value  to  himself  as  the 


KING  ROTHER.  31 


king's  could  possibly  be  to  the  state.  Then  Leupold,  Berchther's 
brave  son,  rose  with  six  of  his  brothers,  and  declared  in  their 
name  and  his  own  that  they  were  ready  to  go  as  soon  as  the 
ships  were  fitted  out  for  the  journey  ;  whereupon  five  noble 
counts,  emulating  the  valour  of  these  seven,  announced  their 
willingness  to  accompany  them. 

Preparations  were  made  for  the  departure  of  the  twelve  ambas- 
sadors, and  at  last  the  day  came  on  which  they  were  to  set  sail. 
Just  before  the  anchors  were  lifted,  the  king  came  down  to  the 
harbour,  his  gold-stringed  harp  in  his  hand,  and  sang  them  a 
farewell  song,  so  strangely  sweet  and  stirring  that  it  moved  them 
as  Wodan's  songs  used  to  move  the  hearts  of  their  fathers  in 
the  olden  time.  It  seemed  to  them  as  though  the  god  of  battles 
were  calling  on  them  to  be  up  and  doing.  The  music  ceased ; 
and  then  Rother  took  leave  of  them,  saying,  "If  ever  you  are  in 
need,  and  you  hear  that  song,  you  may  know  that  I  am  near 
and  will  help  you." 

The  hawsers  were  unloosed  and  the  ship  set  sail.  After  a 
voyage  that  lasted  for  days  and  weeks,  the  travellers  sighted  the 
Golden  Horn,  the  port  of  Constantinople ;  and  as  the  sun  was 
rising  over  the  city,  they  landed  at  the  wharf.  They  dressed 
themselves  in  velvet  and  heavy  gold  brocade,  and  cloaks  trimmed 
with  ermine.  Every  one  turned  to  gaze  after  them  as  they  passed 
up  the  street  towards  the  palace.  None  knew  who  they  were 
or  whence  they  came,  but  all  thought  they  must  be  the  ambas- 
sadors of  some  mighty  prince. 

The  emperor  was  yet  in  bed,  dreaming  of  the  feasts  and 
carousals  in  which  his  heart  delighted,  when  the  empress  awoke 
him,  and  said,  "  Get  up,  Constantine ;  the  messengers  of  a  great 
king  have  come  to  see  you.  They  bring  tidings  of  vast  impor- 
tance.    You  must  receive  them  with  all  due  honour  and  respect." 

When  the  emperor  was  ready,  he  desired  the  ambassadors  to 


32  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

be  brought  to  him  in  the  throne-room,  where  he  received  them 
courteously.  At  first  all  went  well.  Constantine  was  pleased 
that  his  friendship  and  alliance  should  be  sought  by  the  ruler 
of  the  West,  and  expressed  his  delight  in  no  scant  terms  ;  but 
when  Leupold  went  on  to  say  that  his  royal  master  had  also 
commissioned  him  to  ask  in  his  name  for  the  hand  of  the  Princess 
Oda,  the  emperor's  wrath  knew  no  bounds,  and  he  ordered  his 
guards  to  seize  the  "  foreign  hounds "  and  cast  them  into  prison. 

When  the  guards  had  left  the  hall  with  the  twelve  ambassadors, 
Constantine  began  to  pace  the  floor,  rubbing  his  hands,  and 
muttering,  "Behead,  drown,  hang — which  shall  it  be  .>'  Ah,  it 
were  best  to  hang  them.  It  would  be  a  grand  sight !  Twelve 
fine  gentlemen  in  gorgeous  raiment  brought  at  once  to  the 
gallows.  St.  Maurice  grant  that  the  wondrous  spectacle  may 
bring   us  glory !  " 

"  Constantine,"  said  the  kindly  empress,  "  beware  what  you 
do.  Is  our  beautiful  daughter  never  to  marry  ?  Would  it  not 
be  a  good  thing  to  give  her  to  King  Rother,  arid  let  her  rule 
the  West  with  him,  as  we  the  East }  If  you  slay  the  messengers 
he  has  sent,  Rother  will  assuredly  ally  himself  with  the  heathen 
king  of  Desert-Babylon,  and,  with  his  help,  seek  your  destruction." 

"St.  Michael  and  his  holy  angels  will  protect  us  against  the 
might  of  the  godless  host  of  infidels,"  replied  the  emperor 
sanctimoniously. 

"  Ah,"  said  the  prudent  wife,  "  do  not  be  too  sure  of  that. 
He  has  other  things  to  do.  He  has  to  fight  for  the  conversion 
and  salvation  of  the  wild  heathen  tribes.  Take  my  advice, 
and  keep  Rother's  messengers  as  hostages,  that  our  hands  may 
be  strengthened  when  their  king  comes  over  the  western  sea 
and  demands  them  from  us  at  the  head  of  his  army." 

The  counsel  pleased  the  emperor,  and  he  gave  orders  that 
the  prisoners  should  be  well  guarded. 


KING  ROTH^R.  33 


The  Sailing  of  the  Heroes. 

The  weeks  and  months  rolled  into  a  year,  and  still  the  am^ 
bassadors  did  not  return  to  Bari.  Every  heart  was  full  of  an 
undefined  dread.  Had  they  perished  at  sea,  or  at  the  hands 
of  the  cruel  tyrant  to  whom  they  had  been  sent }  None  could 
answer. 

Old  Berchther  one  day  went  to  the  king,  and  said,  "  Sire,  my 
heart  is  sad.  I  can  bear  my  sorrow  no  longer.  I  had  twelve 
goodly  sons.  Helfrich,  the  eldest,  was  slain  fighting  the  barbarians 
near  the  Elbe  in  the  far  north.  Seven  have  gone  to  Constantinople 
in  your  service,  and  have  never  returned.  I  will  go  and  see  if 
I  can  find  them." 

"  You  must  not  go  alone,"  returned  the  king.  "  I  will  call  a 
meeting  of  the  royal  council,  and  ask  my  wise  advisers  what 
were  best  to  be  done." 

After  a  stormy  discussion,  in  which  weighty  arguments  were 
often  enforced  with  still  weightier  blows,  it  was  determined  to 
follow  the  advice  of  the  eldest  counsellors.  These  aged  and 
reverend  men  were  of  opinion  that  it  would  be  bad  policy  to 
send  an  army  against  Constantinople  ;  for  were  the  messengers 
still  alive,  the  emperor  would  assuredly  put  them  to  death  when 
he  found  that  Rother  had  appeared  in  the  guise  of  an  enemy. 
It  would  be  far  better,  they  contended,  to  send  a  richly  ap- 
pointed embassage,  composed  of  good  men  and  true,  to  spy 
out  the  land,  and  see  if  it  were  not  possible  to  save  their 
friends,  and  gain  the  hand  of  the  princess  at  the  same  time. 

King  Rother  announced  his  intention  of  placing  himself  at 
the  head  of  the  expedition,  and  as  Berchther  refused  to  be  left 
behind.  Count  Amelger  of  Tengeling  was  appointed  regent. 

Preparations  for  their  departure  went  on  apace.     Noble  warriors 


LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 


came  from  all  parts  of  the  kingdom  to  offer  their  services. 
Among  those  accepted  were  twelve  men  who  were  so  tall  and 
so  heavy,  that  they  could  nowhere  have  found  horses  strong 
enough  to  bear  their  weight  King  Rother  alone  knew  who  they 
were,  and  he  received  them  as  old  and  trusted  friends.  They 
were  Asprian  (Osbern),  chief  of  the  Northern  giants,  and  eleven 
of  his  tallest  men. 

At  length  all  was  ready,  and  the  ship  set  sail  amidst  a  blare 
of  trumpets.  A  fair  wind  filled  the  sheets,  which  were  edged 
with  cloth  of  silver,  and  the  vessels  glided  through  the  glassy 
deep  as  if  drawn  by  swans.  The  king  stood  high  on  the  deck 
of  his  galley :  when  he  touched  his  harp  and  sang  of  woman's 
love  and  manly  courage,  the  hearts  of  the  heroes  were  fired 
to  deeds  of  daring.  And  the  mermaids  and  dolphins  dipt  their 
'  heads  out  of  the  waves,  and  played  about  the  prows,  and  listened 
to  the  lay. 

Then  Rother  called  his  chiefs  about  him,  and  told  them  that 
he  intended  to  go  cunningly  to  work  when  he  got  to  Constanti- 
iiople.  He  would  introduce  himself  to  the  emperor  as  Dietrich, 
a  noble  of  King  Rother's  country,  who  had  been  outlawed  by 
his  sovereign,  and  who  now  craved  Constantine's  protection. 
He  further  desired  them  to  begin  at  once  to  call  him  by  his 
assumed  name,  that  they  might  make  no  mistakes  on  their 
arrival. 

The  voyage  was  uneventful,  and  the  adventurers  soon  reached 
their  destination. 

The  first  to  land  were  "  Dietrich  "  and  old  Berchther,  and  then 
followed  the  flower  of  Rother's  army.  Lastly  the  giants  appeared, 
inspiring  awe  and  fear  in  every  heart.  All  were  clothed  like 
■  princes  in  splendid  attire  and  with  jewelled  armour. 

The  empress  received  the  strangers  with  courtly  grace,  and 
<  even   the   emperor   looked  pleased    to    see  them.      "  Strangers," 


KING   ROTUER'S   voyage. 


KING  ROTHER.  37 


he  said,  "  we  should  like  to  know  from  whence  you  come,  who  you 
are,  and  what  brings  you  to  our  good  city.  Before  granting 
you  permission  to  remain  here,  we  would  fain  know  more  about 
you." 

"  Mighty  sovereign  of  Greece,  Hungary  and  Bulgaria,"  answered 
Dietrich,  "  we  come  from  the  realm  of  King  Rother,  where  I  bore 
the  title  and  power  of  duke.  I  helped  my  liege  lord  in  all  his 
battles ;  but  as  I  was  always  victorious,  he  grew  jealous  of  my 
good  fortune,  and  I  had  to  fly  for  my  life.  I  have  come  here  as 
a  fugitive  with  my  faithful  vassals,  and  all  the  wealth  I  could 
carry,  and  now  I  entreat  of  you  to  grant  me  your  protection, 
for  which  I  will  repay  you  by  faithful  service  in  the  field." 

*'  You  are  an  honest  man,"  replied  the  emperor,  "  and  you 
shall  receive  a  fitting  welcome.  I  was  afraid  at  first  that  you 
had  come  on  the  same  errand  as  the  ambassadors  of  King 
Rother,  who  asked  me  to  give  my  daughter  in  marriage  to  their 
master.  I  have  them  safe  under  lock  and  key,  where  even  the 
light  of  the  sun  cannot  reach  them.  Had  your  request  been  the 
same  as  theirs,  you  and  your  men  should  have  suffered  the  like 
fate." 

On  hearing  these  words  the  giant  Asprian  started  forward,  the 
whole  room  trembling  beneath  his  mighty  tread.  "  My  lord,"  he 
cried,  laying  his  hand  upon  his  sword,  "  you  might  perhaps  have 
found  that  a  more  difficult  task  than  you  imagine.  Before  you 
took  us  prisoners  many  of  your  guard  would  lie  low,  and  who 
can  tell  whether  you  yourself  would  have  escaped  scatheless } 
We  are  not  lambs  to  be  slaughtered  at  the  will  of  any  man." 

Constantine  did  not  much  like  this  address,  and  tried  to 
smooth  down  the  ruffled  feelings  of  the  giant.  After  some 
further  conversation  he  invited  the  strangers  to  dine  at  his  table. 
While  they  were  eating,  a  tame  lion,  of  which  the  emperor 
was  very  fond,  began  to  steal  the  food  from  under  the  hands  of 


38  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

the  guests.  Asprian's  wrath  was  roused  by  the  tempting  morsel 
being  snatched  away  from  him,  and  starting  up  he  seized  the 
beast  in  his  powerful  hands,  and  flung  him  with  such  force  against 
the  stone  wall  of  the  banqueting  room,  that  he  fell,  never  to 
rise  again.  Constantine  desired  the  guards  to  turn  the  giant  out 
of  the  hall,  but  the  empress  whispered,  "  Oh,  take  care  what  you 
-do.  That  man  is  rjot  to  be  defied  with  impunity.  King  Rother 
must  be  very  powerful  to  have  outlawed  such  men  as  these. 
Take  my  advice,  and  set  his  messengers  free.  Let  them  take 
our  daughter  home  with  them  that  she  may  be  the  wife  of  a 
great  king,  and  that  she  may  induce  her  husband  to  be  our 
friend  and  ally." 

Constantine  listened  in  angry  silence.  At  length  he  desired 
his  wife  to  be  silent,  reminding  her  that  when  once  he  had 
made  up  his  mind  on  any  subject,  he  never  changed. 

Dietrich  and  his  friends  took  up  their  abode  in  the  lodging 
the  emperor  had  assigned  to  them,  and  there  they  had  their 
treasures  borne  by  the  sailors :  a  labour  that  lasted  many  days. 
Many  were  the  gifts  they  showered  on  their  new  acquaintances, 
amongst  others,  on  Lord  Helme  and  a  brave  and  somewhat  poor 
warrior  named  Arnold.  The  latter  was  so  touched  by  their 
kindness  that  he  swore  to  help  his  benefactor  whenever  he  could. 


The  Fair  Oda. 

The  story  of  Dietrich's  wealth  and  generosity  became  known 
in  the  palace,  and  Princess  Oda  was  seized  with  an  intense 
curiosity  to  see  the  hero  of  so  many  tales.  She  took  counsel 
with  Herlind,  her  chief  lady-in-waiting,  as  to  how  she  might 
accomplish  her  purpose  with  most  propriety.  Then,  acting  on 
her  advice,  she  begged  her  father  to  get  up  some  races,  and  allow 
her  and  her  ladies  to  watch  the  sport.      The  emperor  consented. 


KJNG  ROT  HER.  39 


and  on  the  appointed  day  a  large  assemblage  of  spectators 
appeared  on  the  course.  The  crush  of  people  who  collected 
round  Dietrich  was  so  great  that  none  of  the  ladies  of  the  court 
were  able  to  get  so  much  as  a  glimpse  of  him.  The  next  day 
Oda  called  Herlind  into  her  room,  and  promised  her  five  gold 
bracelets  if  she  would  contrive  a  secret  meeting  between  her 
and  the  stranger.  Herlind  promised  to  do  her  best.  She  went 
to  Dietrich's  lodging,  taking  every  precaution  against  being  seen, 
and  gave  him  her  mistress's  message.  He  refused  to  go  and 
see  the  princess,  lest  the  news  of  his  having  done  so  should 
leak  out  and  come  to  the  emperor's  ears.  But  before  dismissing 
Herlind,  he  gave  her  a  golden  and  a  silver  shoe  as  a  present 
She  hastened  back  to  her  lady  and  told  her  all. 

"  He  is  a  noble  man,"  said  Oda,  "  and  cares  more  for  our 
honour  than  for  his  own  safety.  I  will  keep  the  shoes  in  remem- 
brance of  him,  and  will  give  you  instead  as  many  gold  pieces 
as  they  will  hold," 

Herling  was  satisfied  with  the  proposal  and  now  tried  to  put 
the  shoes  on  her  lady's  feet,  but  could  not,  for  they  were  both 
made  for  the  same  foot. 

"  Go,"  cried  the  princess,  "  he  is  not  true.  I  will  have  none 
of  his  gifts,  and  will  think  of  him  no  more.  Take  back  the 
shoes  and  throw  them  at  his  feet" 

Wise  Herlind  understood  how  to  interpret  her  mistress's 
command.  She  hastened  to  Dietrich,  and  told  him  that  the 
princess  was  angry  with  him,  but  that  her  curiosity  to  see  him 
was  so  great  that  she  would  no  doubt  pardon  him  if  he  took 
a  proper  pair  of  shoes  with  his  own  hand.  Dietrich  seized  the 
first  moment  when  he  could  reach  the  princess's  apartments 
unobserved,  and  knocked  at  the  door. 

He  stopped  on  the  threshold  in  amazement  at  the  wondrous 
beauty  of  the  maiden  who  advanced  to  meet  him.     She  was  also 


40  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

struck  by  his  stately  bearing  and  the  resolute  expression  of  his 
handsome  manly  face.  She  had  intended  to  show  him  her  dis- 
pleasure, but  she  could  not ;  she  could  only  listen  to  the  grave 
and  sensible  explanation  he  gave  of  his  conduct  in  not  at  once 
obeying  her  commands.  And  when  he  asked  permission  to  put 
the  shoes  on  her  feet,  she  could  not  deny  him.  In  course  of  con- 
versation he  mentioned  Rother's  offer  for  her  hand,  and  then,  little 
by  little,  told  her  his  secret,  and  the  reason  that  had  brought  him 
to  Constantinople.  He  asked  her  for  her  love,  and  she  promised 
to  be  his  wife.  He  now  showed  her  that  her  father's  sentiments 
being  what  they  were,  their  only  chance  of  happiness  was  to  fly 
together,  and  explained  that  before  they  could  attempt  to  make 
their  escape  his  faithful  servants,  who  were  still  confined  in  the 
emperor's  dungeons,  must  be  set  at  liberty.  He  begged  Oda  to 
try  to  get  them  set  free.  She  promised  to  do  her  best,  and  pointed 
out  the  gloomy  tower  in  which  they  were  imprisoned. 

Next  day  the  princess  appeared  before  her  father,  dressed  in 
deep  mourning,  and  told  him  that  she  had  had  a  dreadful  dream 
that  night.  Her  room  had  seemed  full  of  flames  from  the  nether- 
most hell,  and  she  had  heard  a  voice  call  to  her  that  if  King 
Rother's  twelve  messengers  were  not  brought  out  of  their  dungeons, 
and  furnished  with  clothes,  food  and  wine,  she  would  fall  under 
eternal  condemnation. 

"  That  was  the  devil's  voice,  not  an  angel's,"  answered  Con- 
stantine,  "and  I  will  not,  on  such  a  command,  give  up  the  rights 
I  possess  by  the  grace  of  God.  But  if  it  will  make  you  happier, 
Oda,  I  will  allow  the  prisoners  to  have  their  liberty  for  a.  short 
time,  on  condition  that  some  one  will  offer  his  life  to  me  as  bail 
for  them  that  they  will  not  try  to  make  their  escape." 

Oda  left  her  father's  presence  much  comforted,  for  she  had 
made  up  her  mind  what  to  do. 


KING  ROTHER.  41 


The  Liberation  of  the  Messengers. 

When  the  emperor,  his  guests  and  courtiers  were  seated  nt 
dinner  that  day,  Princess  Oda  entered  the  hall,  followed  by  her 
ladies.  She  went  round  the  table,  and  told  all  and  sundry  of 
her  desire  to  liberate  the  twelve  prisoners,  and  of  the  condition 
her  father  had  made.  "  Now  who  "  she  asked,  "  will  let  his  head 
be  surety  for  the  heads  of  these  unhappy  men  ? " 

A  dead  silence  reigned  in  the  hall.  At  last  Dietrich  rose  in 
his  place,  and  in  a  loud  clear  voice  offered  himself  as  hostage 
for  the  men.  Upon  which  the  emperor  ordered  the  twelve  counts 
to  be  brought  out  of  their  prison,  taken  to  the  bath  and  provided 
with  clothes  suitable  to  their  rank  and  condition.  This  was 
done,  and  while  the  poor  fellows,  scarcely  able  to  believe  their 
senses,  were  seated  at  the  meal  provided  for  them,  some  one 
outside  began  to  play  the  harp.  They  listened  intently,  a  deep 
flush  dyeing  their  sunken  cheeks,  and  a  flash  of  joyful  surprise 
brightening  their  sad  eyes,  for  they  recognised  the  air.  "  It  is 
he  1  Our  king  is  near.  He  has  come  to  save  us  1"  they  whispered 
in  awe-struck  accents.  Weeks  passed,  and  light  and  food  did 
their  work  in  restoring  the  strength  of  the  prisoners. 

One  day  the  door  of  their  room  opened,  and  Rother  came  in 
dressed  in  his  full  armour.  "  You  are  free,"  he  said  joyously, 
but  he  had  scarcely  had  time  to  greet  them  when  Berchther 
rushed  forward  to  embrace  his  sons,  followed  by  Wolfrat,  the 
hero  of  Tegeling,  strong  Asprian,  and  Widolt,  his  inseparable 
companion. 

Rother  told  Leupold,  and  the  rest,  about  their  voyage,  and 
that  he  was  only  known  to  the  Greeks  by  the  name  of  Dietrich. 
Then  he  told  how  he  had  won  the  love  of  fair  Oda,  and  through 
her  help  had  gained  their  freedom  at  the  risk  of  his  own  life. 


42  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

But  the  best  was  yet  to  come.  Imelot,  king  of  Desert-Babylon, 
had  invaded  Constantine's  realm  with  a  mighty  army,  and  had 
demanded  half  the  empire,  and  the  hand  of  Princess  Oda  for 
his  son  Basilistum.  "  The  emperor  not  knowing  what  to  do," 
continued  Rother,  "  I  offered  to  help  him  if  he  would  allow  you 
to  join  me  and  my  friends.  He  consented,  and  so  you  are  free 
to  become  my  comrades  in  battle.  Your  armour  and  weapons 
lie  without." 

Widolt  was  so  delighted  at  the  thought  of  fighting  that  he 
gave  way  to  a  stentorian  burst  of  laughter,  and  nearly  knocked 
the  emperor  down  by  accident  when  he  came  in  to  tell  the 
prisoners  that  they  were  free. 

War  and  Victory. 

Of  all  who  followed  Constantine  into  the  field  on  that  occasion, 
Dietrich  and  his  men  were  most  worthy  of  notice ;  not  only 
because  of  the  magnificence  of  their  accoutrements,  but  from 
their  noble  appearance.  Chief  amongst  them  were  brave  Wolfrat 
of  Tegeling  in  Bavaria,  old  Duke  Berchter  of  Meran,  his  son 
Leupold  of  Milan,  and  other  counts  of  the  West,  and  lastly 
huge  Asprian  and  his  giants.  These  consulted  together  on  the 
eve  of  the  day  fixed  on  for  the  great  battle,  and  determined  that 
when  the  Greek  and  Babylonian  forces  were  asleep,  they  would 
quietly  slip  out  of  their  own  camp,  and,  if  possible,  into  that  of 
the  enemy.  At  midnight  they  set  out  on  their  dangerous  enter- 
prise. They  passed  the  sentinels  by  means  of  the  pass-word 
they  had  taken  care  to  find  out,  and  softly  made  their  way  to 
the  king's  tent.  It  was  a  warm,  but  dark  summer  night ;  not 
a  star  was  visible ;  the  king's  body-guard  were  asleep  at  their 
post.  They  never  awoke  again  on  earth.  Wolfrat  stabbed  them 
^s   they   slept,  to   guard    against   surprise.      Widolt    entered   the 


GIANT   WIDOLT  CARRIES  OFF    KING   IMELOT. 


KING  ROTHER. 


royal  tent,  and  picking  Imelot  up  in  his  arms  as  though  he  had 
been  an  infant,  desired  him  to  be  silent  as  he  valued  his  life. 
The  giant's  loud  voice  wakened  some  servants  who  slept  near, 
and  they  rushed  into  the  tent  to  save  their  master,  but  were 
speedily  slain.  The  whole  camp  was  now  astir,  but  the  efforts 
of  the  soldiery  were  in  vain.  Confused  by  the  darkness  and  their 
sudden  awakening,  many  were  killed,  while  the  greater  number 
fled,  and  sought  refuge  in  their  ships. 

Rother  and  his  handful  of  followers  had  thus  won  a  complete 
victory,  and  before  daybreak  had  returned  to  their  tents  with 
Imelot  and  some  other  princes  of  Desert-Babylon  whom  they 
had  taken  prisoners.  Thoroughly  tired  with  their  hard  night's 
work,  they  threw  themselves  on  their  couches,  and  sought  well- 
merited  repose. 

Not  so  the  Emperor  Constantine.  Contrary  to  his  usual  habit, 
he  was  up  and  about  at  a  very  early  hour,  and  ordered  the  horns 
to  blow  to  rouse  the  camp.  This  done,  he  desired  that  his  troops 
should  pass  before  him  in  companies.  All  were  present  except 
Lord  Dietrich  and  his  companions. 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  "  laughed  the  emperor  scornfully,  "  so  that  fellow's 
high  talk  was  all  swagger.  I  will  go  and  see  what  keeps  him," 
and  he  trotted  away  to  Dietrich's  tent. 

When  he  got  there,  he  found  that  all  was  silent  as  the  grave. 
Motioning  to  his  attendants  to  help  him  from  his  horse,  he  ad- 
vanced to  wake  the  sleepers.  In  the  first  tent,  he  saw  the  grim 
giant  Widolt  stretched  upon  a  panther  skin,  while  in  the  back- 
ground a  man  was  tossing  about  on  a  bed  of  straw,  bound  hand 
and  foot.  The  emperor  did  not  dare  to  wake  the  sleeper.  He 
stept  over  him  carefully,  and  advanced  close  to  the  prisoner. 
Imelot,  in  deadly  fear  lest  he  should  be  murdered  on  the  spot, 
shrieked  out  who  he  was,  and  offered  the  half  of  his  kingdom  in 
exchange  for  his  life.    The  noise  wakened  the  giant.    He  sprang  to 


4fi  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

his  feet,  and  seizing  his  club,  shouted  to  Dietrich  to  come,  for  some 
treason  was  being  hatched  in  their  very  tents.  He  would  certainly 
have  killed  both  monarchs  on  the  spot,  had  his  companions  not 
hastened  to  his  side  and  hindered  him.  When  Constantine  heard 
the  occurrences  of  the  previous  night,  he  was  filled  with  surprise 
and  admiration.  He  gave  a  solemn  feast  in  honour  of  the  victory, 
which  in  public  he  ascribed  to  himself,  for  were  not  Dietrich 
and  his  companions  in  his  pay  at  the  time?  In  order  that  the 
empress  and  her  ladies  might  not  be  kept  in  ignorance  of  what 
had  happened,  Constantine  sent  Dietrich  and  his  men  on  in 
advance  to  bear  the  news  to  the  capital. 

Bringing  Home  the  Bride. 

The  Western  heroes  rode  back  to  Constantinople  light-hearted 
and  happy,  for  Dietrich  had  told  them  that  the  hour  of  their 
return  home  was  near.  The  first  step,  in  his  opinion,  was  to  pro- 
claim that  Imelot  had  conquered  and  dispersed  the  Greek  army, 
and  was  rapidly  marching  on  the  capital. 

"All  is  lost,"  they  cried,  when  the  citizens  came  out  to  meet 
them,  "  fly,  save  yourselves  while  you  may.  Imelot's  wild  horde 
of  savages  will  soon  be  upon  you."  Then  galloping  to  the  palace, 
Dietrich  entreated  the  empress  to  come  on  board  his  galley  with 
her  daughter  and  her  ladies,  and  to  bring  anything  of  value  that 
she  particularly  cared  for. 

They  soon  reached  the  strand.  Oda  crossed  the  plank  leading 
to  the  vessel,  her  hand  resting  trustfully  on  Dietrich's  arm.  Then 
the  plank  was  withdrawn  and  the  ship  pushed  from  land.  The 
empress  wept  and  begged  that  she  might  be  taken  too,  but 
Dietrich  explained  to  her  the  true  state  of  the  case,  and  telling 
her  who  he  was,  assured  her  that  Oda  was  going  home  with  him 
to  rule  over  the  West  as  his  beloved  queen. 


KING  ROTHER.  ^y 

"Ah,"  said  the  mother,  much  comforted,  "be  kind  to  her, 
noble  hero,  and  take  my  blessing  on  you  both.  Think  of  me 
sometimes,  as  I  shall  think  of  you." 

After  a  pleasant  voyage  the  travellers  arrived  at  Bari,  where 
the  marriage  of  King  Rother  to  the  princess  was  celebrated 
with  all  pomp. 

When  Constantine  returned  with  his  victorious  army  to  Con- 
stantinople, and  learnt  what  had  happened,  he  was  very  angry. 
Had  he  not  feared  Rother  and  his  gigantic  allies,  he  would  have 
sent  an  army  to  Bari  to  fetch  back  the  princess.  The  whole 
city  was  in  such  confusion,  that  King  Imelot  had  not  much  diffi- 
culty in  effecting  his  escape  and  returning  to  his  own  land.  The 
emperor  did  not  fret  much  when  he  heard  this  news.  He  could 
think  of  nothing  but  the  loss  of  his  daughter.  He  cared  not  for 
the  rich  dishes  in  which  he  used. to  delight,  nor  for  the  delicate 
wines  his  steward  brought  to  tempt  his  appetite.  He  grew  thin 
and  pale,  and  his  clothes  hung  loose  on  his  shrunken  frame. 

The  Mountebank. 

One  day  when  he  was  alone  in  his  room,  a  chamberlain  came 
to  him  and  announced  that  a  clever  mountebank  had  come,  who 
would  be  sure  to  amuse  his  Majesty  and  turn  his  thoughts  into 
ja  pleasanter  channel.  The  mountebank  was  admitted.  The 
emperor  watched  him  perform  all  his  curious  tricks  without  a 
smile.  But  when  the  man  sang  of  a  woman  who  had  been  stolen 
from  her  home,  and  whose  friends  had  freed  her  by  means  of 
cunning,  not  strength,  he  listened  with  his  whole  soul  in  his  eyes. 
When  the  song  was  finished,  he  signed  to  the  man  to  approach 
him,  and  asked  him  if  he  could  bring  Oda  home  to  Constan- 
tinople. 

"  Give   me,"   answered  the  mountebank,    "  a  goodly  ship,  well 


48  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

filled  with  merchandise,  and  I  promise  to  bring  the  lady  back  to 
you.  You  may  send  some  of  your  soldiers  with  me  if  you  like, 
that  they  may  cut  off  my  head  if  I  fail  to  keep  my  promise." 

Before  long  the  ship  was  laden  and  ready  for  sea.  It  was  a 
fast  sailer,  and  there  were  many  able  seamen  on  board,  to  say 
nothing  of  the  soldiers  the  emperor  had  sent  to  see  that  the 
player  was  true  to  his  bargain. 

All  went  well  during  the  voyage,  and  the  ship  at  last  reached 
the  port  of  Bari.  The  mountebank  landed  and  set  to  work  to 
find  out  all  that  he  could  about  the  royal  family.  He  found 
that  King  Rother  had  gone  to  Riffland  with  his  troops,  leaving 
Leupold  of  Milan  regent  in  his  place.  He  congratulated  himself 
on  his  good  luck  when  he  heard  this,  for  he  thought  his  plan 
would  be  easier  of  accomplishment  during  the  king's  absence. 
On  his  return  to  his  ship  he  made  ready  to  show  off  his  conjur- 
ing tricks  on  board  the  vessel.  Crowds  came,  tempted  by  the 
unusual  sight.  He  then  brought  out  his  silks  and  precious  stones 
and  offered  them  for  sale.  Amongst  his  wares  was  a  pebble. 
The  people  asked  what  good  a  wretched  common  pebble  could 
do  him. 

"  This  stone,"  he  said,  taking  it  gently  in  his  hand,  "  is  worth 
a  ton  of  gold,  for  if  a  queen  should  touch  a  lame  or  impotent 
man  with  it,  he  would  at  once  become  strong  and  well  again." 

"  Ah,"  sighed  one  of  the  lords,  "  if  that  were  only  true !  I 
would  give  half  my  county  were  it  really  so,  for  I  have  three 
children,  all  of  whom  have  been  lame  from  their  birth." 

"  They  would  soon  jump  about  and  play  like  other  children," 
replied  the  mountebank,  "  if  your  good  queen  would  only  come 
on  board  my  ship  and  try  the  virtue  of  the  pebble." 

The  count  hastened  to  Queen  Oda  and  told  her  his  story, 
and  she,  with  her  usual  kindliness,  said  how  willing  she  was  to 
cure  the  children  if  she  could.     She  at  once  set  out  for  the  vessel, 


KING  ROTHER. 


49 


but  no  sooner  were  she  and  her  ladies  on  board  than  the  landing 
plank  was  slipped,  the  hawsers  were  unloosed,  and  a  fresh  wind 
catching  the  sails,  the  ship  was  soon  out  of  sight  of  land. 

ROTHER  TO   THE   RESCUE. 

The  citizens  of  Bari  clustered  about  the  harbour  not  knowing 
what  to  do,  and  Leupold  vainly  sought  a  ship  that  could  be  got 
ready  immediately  to  pursue  and  overtake  the  robber's  vessel. 
At  the  same  moment  King  Rother's  horns  were  heard  proclaim- 
ing his  return.  As  soon  as  the  king  was  told  what  had  happened, 
his  decision  was  formed. 

"  We  must  take  an  army  to  Constantinople,"  he  cried.  "  My 
dear  wife  has  been  stolen  from  me  by  force  and  cunning,  and  by 
force  and  cunning  I  will  win  her  back." 

Old  Duke  Berchther  shook  his  grey  head,  but  said  that  he  and 
his  men  would  follow  the  king.  Leupold,  Wolfrat  and  the  othei 
princes  of  the  realm  promised  to  do  the  same.  Messengers  were 
sent  to  bear  the  tidings  to  all  parts  of  the  kingdom,  and  soon, 
a  great  army  was  assembled.  Rother  picked  out  the  bravest 
warriors  to  accompany  him,  amongst  whom  were  Asprian  and 
his  giants  ;  the  rest  he  sent  home.  Meantime  the  ships  that 
were  to  bear  the  little  army  had  been  got  ready,  and  after  a 
favourable  voyage  reached  the  neighbourhood  of  Constantinople. 
Rother  gave  orders  that  the  vessels  should  be  run  ashore  in  a 
small  bay,  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  a  thick  wood  which 
stretched  in  the  direction  of  the  city,  and  which  would  serve 
to  conceal  both  ships  and  men. 

"We  are  safe  here,"  said  Rother  to  his  nobles.  "The  popu- 
lace have  an  unspeakable  terror  of  this  wood,  which  they 
believe  to  be  peopled  by  monsters  of  all  sorts.  Let  the  men 
encamp  here,  and  I  will  go  to  the  city  in  a  pilgrim's  dress  and 

see  what  is  going  on." 

D 


50  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

There  was  a  general  outcry  at  the  idea  of  the  king  adventur- 
ing himself  alone  in  the  enemy's  stronghold,  and  many  of  the 
princes  offered  to  go  with  him.  He,  therefore,  consented  to 
take  the  Duke  of  Meran  and  his  son  Leupold.  Before  starting 
Wolfrat  gave  him  a  tiny  horn,  telling  him  the  sound  it  made 
was  so  shrill  that  it  could   be  heard  for  miles  around. 

"  As  soon  as  we  hear  it,"  said  Asprian,  "  we  shall  come  to 
your  help  with  clubs  and  swords." 

"Yes,"  laughed  Widolt,  "and  then  there  will  be  many  a 
broken  head,   I   can  promise  you." 

The  three  pilgrims  set  out  on  their  way.  After  going  some 
distance  they  saw  a  horseman  coming  towards  them  in  shining 
armour.  They  asked  him  if  there  were  good  news  in  Constan- 
tinople. 

"  Not  at  all,"  he  answered.  "  Look,  King  Rother  gave  me  this 
coat  of  mail,  and  my  good  sword,  and  a  thousand  gold  pieces 
to  boot,  for  I  had  lost  both  land  and  wealth  at  the  hands  of 
miscreants ;  and  now  I  find  that  the  Greeks  have  stolen  away 
his  fair  wife,  and  are  about  to  marry  her  to  that  cruel  demon 
Basilistum,  son  of  Imelot,  King  of  Desert-Babylon.  For,  when 
Imelot  escaped  from  here,  he  collected  a  great  army,  and  march- 
ing into  the  Emperor  Constantine's  land,  took  him  prisoner,  and 
now  demands  the  half  of  his  empire  and  the  Lady  Oda  for  that 
unlicked  cub,  his  son,  who,  according  to  the  present  arrange- 
ment, is  to  remain  here  after  his  marriage,  that  Constantine  may 
not  be  deprived  of  his  daughter's  society.  All  the  Christians  in 
the  place  tremble  to  think  of  the  persecutions  that  will  follow. 
Oh  that  King  Rother  would  only  come !  I  would  join  him  with 
ail  my  men  as  sure  as  my  name  is  Arnold." 

"  Truly,"  said  Rother  as  they  parted,  "  a  kind  action  often 
brings  unlooked-for  reward." 

The  city  was  full  of  life  and  feasting.      Imelot,  Constantine, 


KING  ROTHER. 


SI 


and  their  followers  were  hobnobbing  together  in  the  banqueting 
room  in  the  greatest  peace  and  concord,  for  Constantine  was 
overjoyed  at  having  settled  the  vexed  question  of  his  daughter's 
marriage  without  losing  her  altogether.  The  hunchbacked  bride- 
groom sat  between  his  father  and  his  would-be  father-in-law  and 
close  to  sad  Oda  and  her  equally  sorrowful  mother.  The  doors 
were  wide  open,  that  the  populace  might  come  in  and  watch  the 
proceedings.  So  the  three  pilgrims  were  able  to  enter  unnoticed, 
with  their  hats  pulled  down  low  over  their  brows.  They  heard 
Constantine,  Imelot,  and  Basilistum  boast  of  how  they  would 
scornfully  entreat  and  hang  King  Rother  and  all  his  giants  if 
they  ventured  to  come  within  their  reach.  During  the  laughter 
and  confusion  caused  by  these  speeches,  Rother  managed  to  slip 
a  ring  bearing  his  name  into  his  wife's  hand,  and  she,  with  a 
look  of  intense  relief,  showed  it  to  her  mother. 

"  Rother  is  here,"  cried  the  hunchbacked  bridegroom  suddenly. 
"  He  has  just  given  my  wife  a  ring  with  his  name  engraved  on 
it.     Seek  him  out  and  seize  him." 

Swords  were  drawn,  tables  overturned,  and  noisy  shouts  heard 
on  every  side.  Rother  and  his  companions  came  forward,  and 
the  former  said   clearly  and  distinctly — 

"Yes,  I  am  here.  I  have  come  to  claim  my  wife,  and  if  the 
king  of  Desert-Babylon  or  his  hunchbacked  son  deny  my  right, 
I  am  ready  to  prove  it  on  their  bodies  with  my  good  sword." 

Imelot  laughed  till  the  hall  re-echoed.  "Fight  with  youl' 
he  cried,  "  a  poor  little  kinglet  like  you !  No,  no,  you  mu^t  be 
hung." 

"  He  must  be  hung ! "   repeated   the  courtiers. 

"  To  the  gallows  with  him,  and  his  comrades  too,"  continued 
the  Babylonish  king,  "  seize  them  and  bind  them  till  the  blood 
starts  from  their  fingers." 

The   heroes   had   only   their   pilgrim's   staves,   and  these  were 


52  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

poor  weapons  wherewith  to  defend  themselves  against  the  swords 
and  iances  that  were  pointed  at  them.  They  were  taken  and 
bound.  No  hand  was  raised  to  help  them,  although  many  a 
hardy  fellow  in  the  crowd  had  cause  to  remember  Dietrich's 
kindness. 

"  A  king,"  said  Rother  proudly,  "  who  has  often  looked  death 
in  the  face  on  the  battle-field,  knows  how  to  die  when  his  time 
comes.  Let  the  executioner  do  his  work  in  the  haunted  wood, 
where  Constantine  has  already  had  so  many  innocent  men  put 
to  a  shameful  death." 

"  A  good  idea,"  quoth  the  emperor  grimly.  "  There  are  gal- 
lows there  that  will  just  do  to  hang  the  stealer  of  women  and 
his  comrades  on." 

"  That  is  right,"  laughed  Imelot,  "  and  then  the  monsters 
who  inhabit  the  wood  will  come  at  night  and  play  many  a 
merry  prank  with  their  bones.  If  their  friends  the  giants  should 
come  over  the  sea  in  search  of  Rother  and  his  crew,  we  will 
hang  them  too,  that  they  may  find  themselves  in  good  company. 
The  whole  army  shall  see  how  great  Imelot  revenges  himself 
upon  his  foes." 

The  preparations  for  the  execution  were  finished  in  a  few  hours, 
and  the  prisoners  were  borne  to  the  haunted  wood  amidst  an 
immense  crowd  and  the  music  of  drums  and  trumpets.  The 
populace  were  curious  to  see  a  king  hanged. 

"And  so  it  is  Dietrich,  kind  Dietrich,"  sighed  one ;  while 
another  laughed  and  answered,  "  What  does  that  matter  to  us .'' 
It  is  all  the  same  whether  a  man  is  a  king  or  a  beggar  when 
he  comes  to  be  hung."  "  Ah  yes,"  said  a  third,  "  the  rope  is  an 
uncomfortable  necktie  for  any  man,  but  that  it  should  be  tried 
on  a  crowned  head  is  a  thing  I  never  expected  to  see." 

The  procession  arrived  at  its  destination.  The  prisoners  were 
led  to  the  foot  of  the  gallows. 


KING  ROTHER.  53 

"  Be  of  good  cheer,  Sir  King,"  said  the  executioner ;  "  you 
once  gave  me  a  handful  of  gold  pieces,  and  to  show  you  my 
gratitude  I  have  provided  a  silken  rope  for  you,  that  will  do 
the  business  very  quickly.  The  other  two  gentlemen  must  put 
up  with  common  hemp,  I  am  sorry  to  say.  By  St.  Michael,  I 
never  did  a  day's  work  before,  that  I   liked  so  ill." 

"  Pray  loose  my  hands  for  a  moment,  good  fellow,"  asked 
Rother,  "  that  I  may  say  a  prayer." 

"  A  pious  wish,"  replied  the  man.  "  I  will  also  pray  to  my 
patron  saint,  and  beg  him  to  take  you  straight  to  heaven  from 
the  gallows-tree." 

He  loosed  the  king's  hands  as  he  spoke,  and  then  began  to 
pray.  Meanwhile  Rother  drew  out  his  horn  from  under  the  pil- 
grim's mantle,  where  it  was  concealed.  Three  times  its  wild  call 
sounded  over  mountain  and  valley,  like  a  cry  for  help  to  the 
faithful  friends  who  were  waiting  fully  armed  in  the  depths  of 
the  wood.  But  King  Imelot,  growing  impatient,  commanded 
that  the  executioner  should  himself  be  hung  if  he  delayed  any 
further  to  do  his  duty.  The  man  was  frightened  and  began  to 
bind  Rother's  hands  again  ;  but  at  that  moment  a  loud  noise 
was  heard  in  the  background. 

It  was  Arnold,  who,  with  his  men,  had  joined  Rother's  other 
friends,  and  who  now  came  with  them  to  the  rescue  of  his  former 
benefactor.  There  was  a  fearful  battle.  Imelot  and  many  more 
fell  fighting  desperately,  while  Basilistum  was  slain  during  the 
flight.  The  whole  army  of  Desert-Babylon  was  scattered  or 
destroyed. 

After  the  victory  King  Rother  asked  for  the  emperor,  but 
found  that  Constantine  had  thought  "prudence  the  better  part 
of  valour,"  and  had  long  before  fled  to  the  palace,  where  he 
had  taken  refuge  in  the  women's  apartments.  His  courage  had 
all  ebbed  away,  and  he  begged  his  wife  and  daughter  to  entreat 


54  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

Rother  to  save  him  out  of  the  hand  of  the  giants,  those  veri- 
table children  of  the  evil  one.  The  ladies  were  soon  ready  to 
go  out  and  meet  the  ruler  of  the  West.  They  placed  the  timid 
emperor  in  their  midst,  and  accompanied  by  a  numerous  train, 
set  out  for  the  wood.  The  first  people  they  met  were  the  giants. 
Asprian's  falcon-eyes  at  once  spied  out  the  emperor,  carefully  as 
he  tried  to  hide  himself.  Stretching  his  long  arm  over  the  empress, 
he  seized  him  by  the  scruff  of  the  neck  and  flung  him  on  the 
ground.  Widolt  raised  his  club  to  put  an  end  to  him  as  he 
lay  there  senseless,  but  his  master  stopped  him,  saying — 

"  Not  so,  Widolt ;  away  with  the  miserable  wretch  to  the  gal- 
lows." 

The  giant  caught  the  emperor  up  as  easily  as  if  he  had  been 
a  baby,  and  went  dancing  along  the  road  to  the  gallows  with 
him  in  his  arms.  But  they  soon  came  up  with  Rother  and  his 
heroes,  and  the  king  pardoned  Constantine.  He  could  not  have 
done  otherwise :  his  wife  was  once  more  in  his  arms,  and  where 
love  rules,  wrath  and  vengeance  have  no  place.  When  they  all 
met  in  the  banqueting  room  that  evening,  the  emperor  found 
himself  unusually  hungry  after  the  many  and  varied  emotions 
he  had  gone  through,  and  it  is  said  that  he  devoured  a  whole 
leg  of  mutton,  and  drank  an  immense  quantity  of  wine. 

King  Rother  left  the  whole  of  the  Eastern  empire,  which  he 
had  just  conqueied,  in  the  hands  of  his  father-in-law,  and  then 
set  sail  for  Bari  accompanied  by  Queen  Oda.  Arrived  there, 
they  went  on  to  Rome,  where  a  second  marriage  was  solem- 
nized with  great  pomp.  Rother  and  his  wife  lived  long  and 
happily,  together,  and  had  many  children.  We  shall  hear  plea- 
sant things  of  their  daughter  Herka  (or  Herche,  Helche),  and 
their  grand-daughter  Herat,  as  time  goes  on. 


ORTNIT. 


55 


III. 
ORTNIT, 

GREAT  kin^  once  lived  in 
-^.'X    Ix.     Lombardy ;  he  was  richer 
and    more   powerful    than    any 
Z'?^,  "'^^  other  monarch  far  or  near.     His 

name  was  Ortnit,  and  his  dominions  extended  over  the  whole 
of  Italy  from  the  Alps  to  the  sea,  and  even  included  Sicily. 
The  neighbouring  kings  were  all  his  vassals,  for,  possessing  the 
strength  of  twelve  ordinary  men,  he  was,  of  course,  victorious 
in  every  battle.  And  yet  he  was  not  contented.  An  inward 
unrest  prevented  him  from  enjoying  his  wealth  and  greatness. 
He  often  sat  dreamily  at  table,  tasting  nothing,  and  deaf  to  all 


56  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

that  was  being  said  around  him  ;  deaf  even  to  the  minstrels, 
when  they  sang  songs  in  his  praise.  He  frequently  wandered 
alone  up  in  the  mountains,  seeking  adventures,  slaying  robbers, 
and  destroying  the  wild  beasts  that  preyed  upon  the  farmers' 
flocks  and  herds.  But  this  did  not  satisfy  him  ;  he  sighed  for 
something  more. 

One  day  v/hen  he  was  standing,  as  he  often  did,  on  the  sea- 
shore, watching  the  waves  that  rose  and  fell,  tinted  by  the  light 
of  the  setting  sun,  a  mist  came  up  out  of  the  water.  A  few  mi- 
nutes more,  and  it  parted  slowly  like  a  veil,  showing  a  wondrous 
sight.  It  was  that  of  a  castle  with  towers  and  barbican,  and 
on  the  battlements  stood  a  woman  such  as  he  had  never  seen 
before  in  all  his  travels.  He  could  not  take  his  eyes  off  her. 
The  effect  of  her  beauty  on  him  was  like  enchantment.  Then 
the  mist  gradually  closed  again,  and  lady  and  castle  vanished 
as  completely  as   if  they  had   never  been. 

While  Ortnit  was  still  staring  at  the  place  where  he  had  seen 
the  lady,  he  heard  a  step  behind  him.  "  Ah,  it  is  she ! "  he 
thought,  and  turning  quickly,  clasped  and  kissed — bearded  Ylyas 
(Eligas,  or  Elias),  prince  of  the  wild  Reussen,  who  was  his  uncle. 
The  new  comer  returned  the  embrace  heartily,  and  then  said  : 

"  You  are  a  good  lad  to  receive  your  mother's  brother  with 
as  much  transport  as  a  lover  his  sweetheart,  but  you  have  been 
gazing  at  a  bit  of  sorcery  down  there,  and  that  accounts  for 
a  great  deal.  Try  to  forget  what  you  have  seen,  or  your  royal 
head  may  soon  be  displayed  from  the  towers  of  Muntabure, 
where  the  lovely  witch  lives  with  that  old  heathen,  her  father." 

"  She  is  a  real  person  then,"  cried  Ortnit  quickly.  *'  She  must 
be  mine.     I  would  stake  my  life  to  win  her." 

"  What  is  that  you  say  ?  "  answered  Ylyas.  "  A  king's  head 
for  a  woman's  curl  1  That  would  make  a  new  song  for  the  min- 
strels to  sing  in  Lombardy." 


ORTNIT.  57 

"  How  am  I  to  find  her  ? "  asked  the  king.  "  Tell  me  the 
story,  which  I  suppose  some  wandering  fiddler  has  sung." 

"Why,  nephew,"  replied  the  elder  man,  "I  have  seen  with  my 
own  eyes  and  have  heard  with  my  own  ears  what  I  am  now 
going  to  tell  you.  It  is  no  minstrel's  tale  I  am  going  to  amuse 
you  with.  Machorell  is  the  name  of  the  maiden's  father,  and 
he  is  ruler  of  Syria,  Jerusalem,  and  other  eastern  lands.  When 
I  was  returning  from  my  pilgrimage  to  the  holy  sepulchre,  I 
arrived  one  evening  at  the  gates  of  Castle  Muntabure,  weary 
and  footsore,  and  the  Saracen  porter  had  compassion  on  me,  took 
me  in,  and  showed  me  no  little  kindness.  Then  it  was  that  I 
saw  the  wicked  heathen  king,  whose  skin  is  as  black  as  that  of 
a  Moor,  and  also  the  beautiful  princess  Sidrat.  I  heard  it  said 
that  he  intended  to  marry  his  own  daughter,  when  her  sick 
mother  was  dead,  and  that  was  why  he  cut  off  the  heads  of  all 
the  wooers  who  came  to  ask  for  the  princess's  hand  in  marriage. 
Seventy-two  skulls  already  grin  from  the  towers  of  Castle  Munta- 
bure. Say,  bold  youth,  do  you  intend  to  offer  your  head  to  the 
Moorish  king  as  the  seventy-third  ?  " 

"  I  have  been  through  many  a  strange  adventure  before  now," 
returned  Ortnit,  "  and  I  shall  try  to  get  the  better  of  the  infidel." 

On  the  following  day  the  notables  of  the  realm  were  sum- 
moned to  a  council.  The  king  told  them  that  he  intended  to 
make  a  campaign  in  Syria,  and  desired  their  help  in  calling 
together  his  army.  After  many  attempts  to  dissuade  Ortnit 
from  such  a  fantastic  enterprise,  all  was  at  last  settled  as  he 
wished,  even  to  the  appointment  of  the  governors  and  deputy- 
governors  in  whose  hands  the  country  was  to  be  left  during 
his  absence.  The  only  person  besides  the  king  who  carried  his 
point  was  Ylyas,  who  insisted  on  his  right  to  go  to  Syria  or 
anywhere  else  he  chose,  and  expressed  his  firm  determination 
not  to  lose  sight  of  his  nephew. 


58  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

As  the  council  were  separating,  Zacharis  appeared.  He  was 
Lord  of  Apulia  and  Sicily,  a  heathen,  but  a  faithful  comrade  of 
the  king.  When  he  heard  what  they  had  settled,  he  at  once 
announced  his  readiness  to  provide  a  ship  to  take  the  armament 
across  the  sea,  for  which  offer  the  king  thanked  him  warmly.  On 
the  advice  of  Ylyas,  it  was  agreed  to  put  off  the  expedition  until 
spring,  when  the  weather  would  be  more  favourable  for  a  sea 
voyage. 

So  the  king  had  to  smother  his  impatience  as  best  he  might. 
He  was  very  lonely,  for  he  knew  that  no  one  quite  sympathized 
with  him.  His  mother,  indeed,  did  her  best  to  persuade  him  to 
give  up  the  enterprise,  by  setting  its  dangers  plainly  before  him, 
and  telling  him  how  ridiculous  it  was  to  be  so  much  in  love  with 
a  woman  whom  he  had  only  seen  in  a  vision,  and  about  whose 
character  and  disposition  he  knew  nothing.  He  fretted  against 
the  idleness  and  uniformity  of  the  life  he  was  leading,  and  deter- 
mined to  ride  up  into  the  mountains  for  something  to  do.  When 
he  went  to  take  leave  of  his  mother,  she  begged  him  not  to  go, 
for  fear  of  some  accident  happening  to  him  ;  but,  finding  that 
he  was  not  to  be  dissuaded,  she  took  a  ring  from  her  finger,  saying, 
"  If  you  are  determined  to  go,  take  this  ring.  The  gold  is  thin, 
and  the  stone  of  little  apparent  value,  but  it  possesses  a  magic 
power  that  could  not  be  bought  with  a  kingdom.  Go  where  you 
like  in  the  wild  mountains,  but  first  of  all  ride  down  the  road  to 
the  left,  that  leads  over  the  heights  to  the  lake,  then  sideways 
under  a  wall  of  rock  to  the  valley.  Look  about  till  you  find  a 
spring  gushing  out  of  a  rock,  and,  close  to  it,  a  great  lime-tre^; ; 
there  you  will  have  a  more  wonderful  experience  than  any  you 
could  imagine." 

Her  voice  trembled  with  nervous  excitement,  and  her  tearful 
eyes  seemed  to  entreat  him  to  ask  her  no  questions. 


ORTNIT. 


59 


Dwarf  Alberich  (iELF-Ric). 

Ortnit  rode  away.  He  forbade  any  of  his  serving-men  to 
accompany  him,  saying  that  he  wished  to  be  alone.  The  cool 
fresh  air  blowing  about  his  temples  cheered  him,  and  chased  away 
the  fumes  that  troubled  him.  The  sun  began  to  sink  as  he 
entered  the  wood,  where  he  had  to  dismount  and  lead  his  horse, 
because  of  the  low-growing  branches  of  the  trees.  The  night 
was  so  dark  that  he  lost  his  way,  and  did  not  succeed  in  getting 
out  of  the  wood  again  till  daybreak.  When  he  gained  the  open, 
he  rested  a  short  time  to  let  his  horse  graze  in  the  meadow,  and 
to  eat  his  own  breakfast.  After  that  he  set  out  again  for  the 
mountains,  and  at  length  reached  the  wall  of  rock  his  mothe? 
had  mentioned.  He  rode  along  the  foot  of  it,  as  she  had  told 
him,  till  he  heard  the  gurgling  of  the  spring,  and,  on  turning  a 
corner,  saw  the  lime  before  him.  It  was  an  immense  tree,  and 
early  as  it  was  in  the  year,  it  was  already  covered  with  leaves  and 
blossom.  Ortnit  found  on  looking  around,  that  it  was  in  a  wide 
meadow,  on  which  grass,  clover,  and  many-coloured  flowers  grew 
in  rich  abundance,  while  the  number  of  birds  that  nested  in  the 
lime-tree  was  quite  unheard  of.  A  curious  feeling  came  over  the 
king,  it  seemed  as  if  he  must  have  heard  those  birds'  song  of 
welcome  in  his  childhood,  and  all  at  once  he  remembered  a  ditty 
his  mother  used  to  sing.     He  began  to  hum  it  softly. 

It  was  a  song  about  all  the  little  birds,  and  the  music  each 
made  after  its  kind,  sweet  as  a  summer  day,  and  all  in  honour 
of  Alberich,  king  of  the  wood. 

"Alberich — king  of  the  wood,"  Ortnit  was  sure  that  he  had 
once  heard  more  about  him  than  that,  but  what  it  was  he  could 
not  tell.  Had  he  not  played  with  a  child  of  that  name  once.? 
As  he  was  puzzling  over  these  confused  memories  of  the  past, 
he  happened  to  glance  at  his  mother's  ring ;  the  stone  in  it  was 


6o  LANGOBARDTAN  LEGENDS. 

shining  like  a  fire,  and  lighting  up  the  face  of  a  lovely  child,  who 
lay  asleep  in  the  grass  close  by. 

"  Poor  boy,"  said  the  royal  hero,  compassionately,  "  I  wonder 
who  brought  you  to  this  lonely  place  !  How  anxious  your  mother 
must  be  about  you !  I  cannot  leave  you  here  to  die  of  hunger 
or  fall  a  defenceless  prey  to  the  wild  beasts." 

He  had  already  fastened  his  horse  to  a  branch,  and  stooping 
down,  he  lifted  the  boy  in  his  arms  to  carry  him  away ;  but  to  his 
intense  surprise  he  received  such  a  blow  on  the  chest  that  he  not 
only  let  the  child  fall,  but  himself  tumbled  on  his  back.  He  had 
scarcely  recovered  his  footing,  when  he  found  the  child  holding  him 
so  tight  that  he  had  to  exert  all  his  strength  not  to  be  overthrown 
It  was  a  strange  sight  to  see  the  tall  king  and  the  wonderful  child, 
wrestling  furiously  together.  Flowers  and  grass  were  trodden 
under  foot,  shrubs  and  low  bushes  broken  and  torn,  when  Ortnit 
at  last  flung  his  opponent  on  the  ground,  and  drew  his  sword  to 
slay  him.  But,  angry  as  he  was,  he  could  not  do  it  when  the  little 
thing  gazed  at  him  so  entreatingly,  and  begged  in  such  a  sweet 
soft  voice  that  he  would  not  murder  him  when  he  was  defenceless, 
but  would  accept,  in  exchange  for  the  life  he  granted  him,  a 
valuable  suit  of  armour,  consisting  of  helmet,  shield,  and  coat  of 
mail  of  wrought  gold  and  silver,  and  last  not  least,  the  sword 
called  Rosen,  whose  blade  had  been  rendered  strong  and  durable 
in  dragon's  blood.  When  Ortnit  demanded  a  hostage  for  his 
opponent's  good  faith,  the  little  creature  told  him  that  hostages 
were  impossible  to  find  in  that  wild  mountain  country,  but  Ortnit 
might  trust  to  his  word,  for  he  also  was  a  king,  and  ruled  over  a  far 
wider  domain  than  Lombardy,  though  truly  his  realm  lay  beneath 
the  earth  instead  of  upon  it,  and  his  subjects  were  employed  day 
and  night  in  working  in  metals.  Finding  that  no  hostage  was 
necessary,  or  indeed  procurable,  the  hero  allowed  his  prisoner  to 
get  up.      But  before  the  latter  went  to  get  the  armour  he  had 


ORTNIT.  6 1 

promised,  he  said  that  he  would  Hke  to  have  the  ring  Ortnit  was 
wearing,  and  that  he  scrupled  the  less  to  ask  for  it,  as  it  did 
not  appear  to  be  of  great  value. 

"  I  cannot  give  it  to  you,"  replied  Ortnit,  "  for  it  was  a  present 
from  my  dear  mother,  who  would  never  forgive  me  if  I  parted 
with  it" 

"And  you  call  yourself  a  hero,"  sneered  the  little  creature, 
"you  who  fear  your  mother's  blows  !  Tell  me,  what  do  you  do 
when  you  are  wounded  in  battle  ?  Do  you  cry  like  a  baby  when 
you  see  the  blood  flow  ?  " 

"  If  you  were  to  hew  me  in  pieces,"  replied  the  Lombard, 
"  painful  as  that  would  be,  it  would  hurt  me  less  than  a  tear  or 
a  sigh  from  my  mother." 

"  Well,  good  squire  of  dames,"  continued  the  other,  "  it  can  at 
any  rate  do  the  ring  no  harm  for  me  to  look  at  it  and  touch 
it.  I  am  in  your  power,  am  I  not  ?  Your  sword  is  in  your  hand, 
and  I  am  without  a  weapon." 

After  a  little  hesitation  the  king  consented  to  let  the  boy  draw 
the  ring  from  his  finger;  but  scarcely  was  this  done,  when  he 
vanished  from  before  his  eyes,  suddenly  and  without  warning. 
Ortnit  felt  bewildered.  He  heard  the  boy's  voice,  now  at  a 
distance  and  now  near,  making  sarcastic  remarks  on  the  beatmg 
his  mother  would  give  him  when  he  went  home,  and  finally 
announcing  that  he  would  pelt  him  with  a  few  pebbles  to  show 
him  how  well  he  could  do  it.  Ortnit  defended  himself  for  some 
time  against  the  terrible  storm  of  sharp  stones  that  rained  upon 
him,  but  at  last,  seeing  that  neither  his  great  strength  nor  his 
sword  were  of  any  avail,  he  turned  to  his  horse  and  prepared 
to  ride  away. 

On  perceiving  this  the  hobgoblin  exclaimed :  "  Wait  a  bit, 
friend  Goodman.  I  am  sorry  to  think  of  the  stripes  your  mother 
will  give  you.     Listen  to  me.      I   have   many  important  things 


62  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS, 

to  talk  to  you  about  If  you  will  give  me  your  royal  word 
of  honour  that  you  will  not  revenge  yourself  for  the  trick  I  played 
you,  I  will  give  you  back  your  ring." 

"  Very  well,"  answered  Ortnit,  "  I  promise  on  my  honour." 

"  And  if  I  go  on  to  talk  ill  of  your  mother  ?  " 

*'  No,"  cried  the  king,  "  I  will  never  forgive  that.  You  may 
say  what  you  like  about  me,  but  my  mother  is  the  purest  and 
most  perfect  of  women." 

"  I  quite  agree  with  you,"  said  the  little  creature  ;  "  you  may 
listen  to  me  without  fearing  that  I  shall  slander  her,  for  I  am 
Alberich  (^Elf-ric)  king  of  the  Dwarfs,  and  you  and  I  are  more 
nearly  related  than  you  think.  I  will  tell  you  the  truth  ;  but  first 
take  back  your  ring.     I  trust  to  your  word  of  honour?" 

The  moment  Ortnit  felt  the  ring  in  his  hand,  he  slipped  it 
back  on  his  finger,  and  immediately  saw  the  boy  standing  before 
him. 

"  You  must  know,  great  king,"  pursued  Alberich,  "  that  you 
have  to  thank  me  for  your  land  and  people,  castles,  towns  and 
victories,  and  also  for  your  marvellous  strength.  Your  pre- 
decessor, whom  you  call  father,  married,  when  he  was  an  elderly 
man,  the  youthful  sister  of  the  prince  of  the  wild  Reussen.  The 
marriage  was  childless.  Husband  and  wife  in  vain  prayed  heaven 
for  an  heir.  Your  mother  was  the  best  and  most  virtuous  woman 
in  Lombardy,  but  she  wore  herself  away  with  fretting  about  what 
would  become  of  the  country  and  herself  when  her  husband  died 
without  an  heir.  She  foresaw  that  the  nation  would  be  split  into 
factions,  that  civil  war  would  desolate  the  land,  and  that  she 
herself  might  be  chased  from  Lombardy,  a  homeless  exile.  I  often 
heard  her  plaints  when  I  entered  her  room  unseen.  The  older  the 
king  grew,  the  more  her  anxiety  increased  ;  then — well,  you  must 
know  it  sooner  or  later — I  became  her  second  husband." 

"  Monster,  you  lie  1 "    shouted  Ortnit,  drawing  a  dagger   from 


ORTNIT.  6:? 

his  side,  but  he  could  not  use  it,  for  the  smiling  boy  looked  up  at 
him   so  fearlessly. 

"Your  anger  is  bootless,"  he  said.  "You  had  better  let  me 
finish  my  story.  Young  as  I  look,  I  am  five  hundred  years  old  ; 
small  as  I  am,  and  big  and  strong  as  you  are,  I  am  yet  your  father. 
I  proposed  to  the  king  that  he  should  secretly  get  a  divorce  from 
his  wife  and  let  her  marry  me.  He  consented,  but  she  would  not. 
She  refused.  She  spent  days  and  months  in  weeping,  and  only 
gave  way  at  last  when  her  husband  insisted  1  She  and  I  were 
married  secretly  by  a  priest.  No  one  guessed  what  had  happened, 
and  when  you  were  born  you  were  supposed  to  be  the  old 
king's  son.  I  did  not  win  my  wife's  heart,  however,  until  her 
first  husband  was  dead.  After  that  I  used  sometimes  to  bring 
her  here ;  you  and  I  played  together  among  the  flowers  like  two 
children,  and  I  sang  with  the  birds  that  wild  song  of  theirs  about 
the  king  of  the  wood,  which  your  mother  often  sung  to  you  again 
at  Castle  Garden.  When  you  grew  to  be  a  man  and  a  hero,  I  was 
often  at  your  side  unseen,  while  the  battle  raged  all  round  you,  and 
on  those  occasions  I  have  often  turned  aside  the  point  of  some 
murderous  weapon  that  threatened  your  life.  When  you  cross  the 
wild  ocean,  and  strive  to  win  the  Moorish  maiden  for  your  wife,  I 
will  be  there  to  help  you.  So  long  as  you  wear  that  ring  on  your 
finger,  you  have  only  to  wish  for  me  and  you  will  see  me.  Now 
wait  a  few  minutes  ;  I  am  going  to  fetch  the  armour  that  no 
weapon  can  pierce,  and  the  sword  Rosen,  which  can  cut  through 
steel  and  iron,  and  even  dragon's  scales." 

Ortnit  felt  as  though  in  a  dream.  While  he  was  still  thinking 
over  all  that  he  had  just  heard,  the  sound  of  heavy  steps,  and  the 
clanking  of  armour  startled  him  out  of  his  reverie.  Turning 
round  he  saw  Alberich,  who  with  the  help  of  a  sturdy  dwarf  was 
bringing  his  promised  gift.  On  the  top  of  the  silver  helmet  with 
p-old  enwrought,  was  a  priceless  diamond.     The  whole  suit  of  mail 


64  LANGOBARDTAN  LEGENDS. 

was  of  marvellously  beautiful  workmanship,  and  sparkled  with 
gems  wherever  gems  should  be.  The  sword  was  in  a  golden 
sheath,  its  handle  was  a  shining  carbuncle,  and  on  the  sharp  steel 
blade  were  golden  figures  and  the  letters  forming  the  king's  name. 

Ortnit  was  amazed  at  the  beauty  of  all  he  saw.  He  put  on  the 
armour,  and  it  fitted  him  exactly.  Then  he  picked  his  tiny  father 
up  in  his  strong  arms  and  kissed  him  on  his  rosy  mouth,  and 
Alberich  returned  his  embrace  with  much  affection.  As  the  king 
rode  away,  the  last  words  he  heard  were,  "  Do  not  forget  the 
importance  of  that  ring.  Never  give  it  away.  If  you  turn  it  on 
your  finger,  I  will  at  once  be  with  you." 

When  Ortnit  got  home,  he  was  received  with  joy  by  all  his 
retainers ;  and  his  mother,  who  was  watching  for  his  arrival,  signed 
to  him  to  come  to  her.  He  instantly  ran  up  the  steps,  and 
whispered  as  he  kissed  her,  "  I  have  come  from  father  Alberich." 

"  You  know  .'' "  she  asked,  hiding  her  face  on  his  shoulder. 

"  I  know,"  he  answered,  "  that  I  love  and  honour  my  dear 
mother." 

May  came  at  last.  The  army  assembled  and  marched  south 
through  Tuscany,  Rome  and  Naples,  whence  they  embarked  for 
Sicily,  Messina  being  the  place  fixed  on  for  the  general  meeting  of 
all  the  forces.  Arrived  there,  they  found  faithful  Zacharis  ready 
with  his  ship,  in  which  he  had  stowed  away,  not  only  enough 
provisions  for  the  voyage,  but  also  merchandise,  in  case  it  should 
be  wanted.  Soon  every  man  was  on  board,  a  favourable  wind 
swelled  the  sails,  and  experienced  seamen  steered  the  ship  through 
the  wild  sea. 


City  of  Suders  (Tyre). 

After   they  had  journeyed   a   long   time,  the   welcome   cry  of 
land  "  was  heard  from  the  mast-head,  and  soon  afterwards  those 


ORTNIT.  65 

on  deck  had  a  distinct  view  of  the  shore  and  the  wharfs  of  Tyre. 
But  at  this  moment  the  skipper  came  up  to  the  king  and  said  : 

"  Sire,  we  are  all  lost.  There  is  no  wind  to  carry  us  past  this 
place.  They  have  sighted  us  already  in  the  town,  and  will  soon 
send  out  their  pirate  ships  to  chase  us." 

"  Come,  nephew,"  said  Ylyas,  "throw  the  cowardly  dog  overboard 
to  drink  brotherhood  with  the  fishes.  Have  we  not  swords  enough 
to  defend  ourselves  from  the  Moors  .-* " 

"  Sir,"  replied  the  skipper,  "  the  heathen  will  throw  Greek  fire 
on  board.  Neither  sword  nor  shield  can  do  aught  against  that. 
The  ship  will  be  burnt,  and  all  the  men  either  burnt  therewith 
or  drowned." 

No  one  knew  what  to  advise,  so  all  stood  silent  about  the  king. 
Suddenly  a  voice  was  heard  from  the  mast-head  : 

"  All  arms  below  !  Bring  up  the  merchandise,  and  let  the  sails 
be  reefed,  lest  the  enemy  guess  that  we  thought  of  flight." 

"Hey-day!  It  is  Alberich,"  said  Ortnit ;  "how  could  I  have 
forgotten  him  } " 

He  looked  up  and  saw  the  king  of  the  dwarfs  slipping  rapidly 
down  the  mast  to  the  deck.  In  another  moment  he  was  at  his 
side. 

"  You  forgot  both  the  ring  and  me,"  said  Alberich,  "  but  a  father 
does  not  so  soon  forget  his  son.  Now  hasten  and  see  that  my 
commands  are  carried  out." 

Much  ashamed  of  himself,  Ortnit  gave  the  necessary  orders. 
All  weapons  of  ofi"ence  were  stowed  away  below,  and  the  costly 
wares  Zacharis  had  provided  were  spread  temptingly  on  deck. 
Meanwhile  the  dwarf  climbed  the  mast  again,  and,  as  soon  as  he 
was  aloft,  shouted  to  the  Moors  : 

"See  here — we  are  peaceful  merchants  bringing  wares  from 
Italy.     Give  us  free  convoy  into  the  harbour  of  Tyre." 

Ylyas  stared  up  open-mouthed  at  the  top  of  the  mast     The  flag 

E 


66  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

was  flying  there  as  usual,  and  no  one  was  to  be  seen.  What  voice 
was  that  he  had  heard  ? 

"  Is  the  devil  on  board  ? "  he  asked,  crossing  himself,  "  or  is  it  a 
good  spirit?  Whom  did  you  speak  to,  nephew?  Who  called  from 
the  top-mast  even  now  ? " 

"  A  good  spirit,"  replied  Ortnit,  "  a  little  dwarf  who  will,  help 
us  out  of  our  difficulty.     You  shall  see  him  with  your  own  eyes." 

With  these  words  he  slipped  his  magic  ring  on  his  uncle's  finger, 
and  the  latter  was  much  astonished  to  see  the  small  childish  figure 
descending  the  mast,  still  more  when  Ortnit  gave  him  a  hasty 
sketch  of  all  that  had  taken  place. 

The  Tyrian  galleys  had  by  this  time  come  up  with  the  ship. 
Their  commander,  who  introduced  himself  as  constable  of  the  city, 
inquired  whether  the  object  of  the  strangers  in  coming  to  those 
seas  was  really  to  trade  with  them.  Satisfied  that  they  were  what 
they  appeared  to  be,  because  of  the  number  and  splendour  of  their 
wares,  he  at  last  gave  them  leave  to  enter  the  harbour,  and  even  to 
land  if  they  desired  to  do  so.  In  the  course  of  that  afternoon 
the  townsfolk  bought  many  rich  Italian  stuffs  at  a  very  low  price. 

In  the  evening  the  two  princes  held  counsel  together  as  to  what 
was  now  to  be  done.  Ylyas  advised  that  a  sudden  onslaught 
should  be  made  on  the  castle,  and  that  everybody  there,  young 
or  old,  should  be  put  to  the  sword.  Before  Ortnit  could  answer, 
Alberich  broke  into  the  conversation  by  saying  that  such  conduct 
would  not  be  fair,  that  no  one  who  desired  fame  and  glory  would 
take  his  enemy  unawares  ;  but  for  fear  any  herald  sent  to  the 
infidels  should  be  murdered  by  them,  he  undertook  to  bear  the 
message  of  defiance  himself. 

Alberich  hastened  to  Muntabure  by  unfrequented  roads.  Arrived 
there,  he  saw  King  Machorell  standing  on  the  ramparts  enjoying 
the  cool  evening  air. 

"  Listen  to  me,  Moorish  king,"  cried  the  dwarf  from  the  castle 


ORTNIT.  67 

moat,  "  and  mark  what  I  tell  you.  My  master,  King  Ortnit,  desires 
that  you  will  give  him  your  daughter  to  be  his  wife,  and  queen  of 
Lombardy,  If  you  refuse  your  consent,  he  bids  me  declare  war 
on  you  at  once,  and  warn  you  that  he  will  attack  Tyre  before 
daybreak  to-morrow.  After  conquering  it  he  will  come  on  to 
Muntabure,  punish  you  for  your  evil  deeds,  and  marry  your 
daughter." 

"So,  Goblin,"  cried  Machorell  angrily,  "you  want  to  arrange  a 
marriage,  do  you  ?  You  will  find  both  your  own  head  and  your 
master's  adorning  the  battlements  of  my  castle  before  long,  if 
you  persist  in  your  foolish  scheme.  But  where  are  you  }  I  cannot 
see  you." 

"  Down  below  you  in  the  moat,"  was  the  answer. 

The  king  flung  a  heavy  stone  down  upon  the  place  where  he 
supposed  Alberich  to  be,  but  missed  his  mark.  He  called  out  his 
guards  and  made  them  search  the  whole  neighbourhood,  but  they 
returned  at  nightfall  baffled  and  disappointed. 

That  evening  Ortnit  made  an  onslaught  on  the  city,  and  found 
it  totally  unprepared  for  any  attack.  However,  the  Tyrians  soon 
got  under  arms  and  made  a  gallant  defence  ;  all  in  vain.  Ortnit 
was  victorious  after  a  hard  struggle  in  which  many  of  his  faithful 
followers  were  slain. 

When  he  returned  from  pursuing  the  Tyrians,  Ortnit  went 
to  the  place  where  his  uncle  had  fought,  and  found  him  lying 
on  the  ground  surrounded  by  his  people.  Was  he  dead  or 
only  wounded  ?  The  king  bent  over  him  anxiously,  and  loosed 
his  helmet  to  see  if  he  were  yet  alive.  His  heart  had  not 
quite  ceased  to  beat.  As  Ortnit  was  raising  him  in  his  arms, 
he  happened  to  touch  him  with  Alberich's  ring,  and  in  a 
moment  Ylyas  was  on  his  feet,  whole  and  sound,  as  though  he 
had  never  been  wounded.  It  was  well  for  Ortnit  that  it  was 
so,  for  in    another    instant  he  and  his  men    were    attacked    by 


68  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

the  train-bands  of  the  city,  who  had  rallied  once  more.  At 
length  they  also  were  beaten  back  with  immense  loss,  and 
Tyre  was  really  in  his  hands.  Those  of  the  citizens  that  were 
left  swore  fealty  to  the  king  of  Lombardy,  who  then  gave 
orders  to  attend  to  the  wants  of  the  wounded,  both  friends 
and  foes.  He  allowed  his  followers  a  few  days'  rest  before 
leading  them  against  Muntabure. 

Castle  Muntabure. 

After  much  consideration  it  was  agreed  between  Ylyas  and 
the  king  that  Alberich  was  the  best  person  to  be  standard- 
bearer  during  the  assault,  and  the  dwarf  at  once  consented. 
The  warriors  were  filled  with  amazement  when  they  saw  a 
war-horse  preceding  them  with  the  royal  banner  apparently 
floating  by  its  side.  "  The  invisible  standard-bearer  must  be  an 
angel,"  they  said  in  awe-struck  tones.  Nothing  of  importance 
happened  during  the  march.  All  went  well,  for  Alberich  led 
the  van. 

At  last  Castle  Muntabure  loomed  in  sight :  a  grim  fortress 
perched  on  the  top  of  a  beetling  crag. 

Machorell  had  heard  of  their  approach,  and  was  in  readiness 
to  receive  them.  He  had  strengthened  the  garrison  very  con- 
siderably, and  was  confident  of  victory.  At  first  it  seemed  as 
if  his  confidence  were  well-founded ;  but  at  the  very  moment 
when  the  Saracens  appeared  to  have  success  within  their  grasp, 
the  tide  of  fortune  turned.  Alberich  climbed  the  walls  unseen, 
and  by  a  great  exertion  of  his  marvellous  strength,  hurled 
one  heavy  catapult  after  another  down  from  the  walls  into 
the  moat  below ;  while  the  men  who  had  been  working  these 
engines  of  destruction  were  struck  motionless  with  terror,  when 
they  saw  the  unwieldy  machines    disappear    as    though  shoved 


ORTNIT.  69 

from  their  places  by  invisible  hands.  Ortnit  seized  the  right 
moment  to  push  the  advantage  the  dwarf  had  gained  for  him, 
and  renewed  the  assault  more  vigorously  than  before. 


SiDRAT   THE   BEAUTIFUL. 

Alberich  now  left  the  walls,  and  opening  a  side-door  made 
his  way  to  a  tower-like  building  that  rose  above  the  battlements. 
This  was  the  temple  where  the  Moors  kept  their  idols,  Mahomet 
and  Apollo  ;  two  enormous  figures  carved  in  stone.  The  queen 
and  her  daughter,  beautiful  Sidrat,  knelt  before  the  idols  praying 
for  protection  from  the  invaders.  Suddenly  Sidrat  felt  her 
hand  grasped  gently  by  an  invisible  hand.  At  first  she  was 
frightened,  and  then  comforted,  for  she  took  it  as  a  sign  that 
her  prayers  were  heard.  But  the  unseen  friend  was  Alberich, 
and  not  a  heathen  god.  He  whispered,  "  Your  gods  are  dust ; 
I  am  a  messenger  from  another  world,  and  have  come  to  save 
you  and  to  teach  you  to  worship  the  true  God." 

The  girl  started  to  her  feet  in  terror,  and  hastened  to  her 
mother,  who  was  kneeling  at  a  little  distance.  Meanwhile  the 
dwarf  flung  the  idols  down  and  broke  them  in  pieces,  and  the 
women  were  more  alarmed  than  ever,  for  they  felt  convinced 
that  an  evil  spirit  was  at  work  within  the  temple. 

Alberich  went  back  to  the  princess,  and  drew  her  to  the 
barbican,  whispering,  "  Sec,  there  is  the  hero  who  desires  to 
make  you  his  wife,  and  queen  of  his  realm." 

Involuntarily  she  looked  down,  and  saw  Ortnit  fighting 
valorously,  driving  all  before  him,  and  looking  god-like  in  his 
grace  and  noble  bearing.  She  could  not  turn  away  her  eyes. 
He  was  even  now  advancing  to  attack  her  father.  They  ex- 
changed one  or  two  blows,  the  last  of  which  split  Machorell's 
shield.      Ortnit    raised    his    sword    to    strike    again,   but    Sidrat 


70  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

uttered  a  loud  cry  of  agony,  and  he  refrained,  for  at  the  same 
moment  he  saw  her  standing  on  the  barbican,  and  knew  that 
she  was  the  maiden  he  had  loved  ever  since  he  had  seen  hei 
image  in  the  magic  castle  on  the  sea. 

"You  see  the  royal  hero?"  asked  the  dwarf;  but  receiving 
no  answer,  he  went  on :  "  Go  down  to  the  moat  to-morrow 
morning  at  day-break.  Your  father  will  allow  you  to  do  so,  if 
you  tell  him  you  are  going  to  call  upon  your  gods  to  return 
to  the  castle.  But  when  you  reach  the  moat,  you  will  find  the 
king  waiting  to  speak  with  you." 

Knowing  that  his  advice  would  be  followed,  he  left  the 
princess. 

The  battle  had  ceased  to  rage  as  furiously  as  before,  and  all 
were  weary  after  their  exertions.  Ortnit's  men  retired  to  the 
river-side,  where  they  were  to  encamp  for  the  night,  and  the 
Moors  shut  themselves  within  the  fortress. 

All  night  long  Ortnit  dreamt  of  Sidrat,  and  then  awoke  and 
wondered  whether  she  would  come  to  the  trysting-place.  In 
the  early  morning,  before  the  sun  was  up,  the  king  mounted 
his  horse  and  rode  away  alone  to  Muntabure.  He  concealed 
himself  beneath  the  spreading  boughs  of  a  tamarind-tree,  and 
waited  and  waited,  doubting,  fearing,  would  she  come  or  would 
she  not  ?  At  length  a  postern  door  opened,  and  a  white  figure 
came  out 

"  Sidrat,"  he  cried,  and  clasped  her  in  his  arms. 

"  To  horse,  delay  not  a  moment,"  whispered  the  dwarf ;  "  go 
down  that  way,  past  the  waterfall." 

Ortnit  at  once  obeyed,  placed  the  maiden  upon  his  horse, 
and  mounted  himself.  It  was  high  time.  He  had  scarcely  got 
beyond  arrow-shot,  when  a  watchman  on  the  tower  recognised 
him  by  his  helmet,  and  sounded  the  alarm. 

Machorell    and    his    men-at-arms    hurried   down  to  the  fight. 


ORTNIT.  ■       7, 

Several  times  the  fortune  of  the  day  changed  sides  ;  and  when 
at  length  the  battle  was  over,  the  besiegers  were  too  much 
weakened  in  number  to  attempt  to  carry  the  castle  by  storm  ; 
while  the  besieged  were  also  in  woeful  plight,  and  their  sorrow 
was  increased  by  the  loss  of  the  princess. 

Ortnit  began  his  retreat  next  morning.  He  found  on  his 
arrival  at  Tyre  that  his  ship  was  in  good  order  and  ready 
for  sea.  So  he  gave  orders  for  a  speedy  departure,  and  soon 
the  gallant  little  army  was  speeding  homewards  with  Princess 
Sidrat  and  much  spoil.  The  Moorish  girl  proved  a  willing  pupil 
when  the  Christian  priests  of  Lombardy  taught  her  their  religion, 
so  she  was  baptized,  and  received  the  name  of  Liebgart.  Soon 
after  that,  she  and  Ortnit  were  married  at  Castle  Garden,  and 
the  whole  country  rejoiced  in  the  king's  good  fortune. 


The  Toad's  Eggs. 

Ortnit  and  his  wife  were  very  happy  together,  and  smiling 
peace  rested  on  the  land.  Honours  were  showered  upon  the 
hero  of  so  glorious  a  campaign,  and  even  the  imperial  crown  of 
Rome  was  placed  upon  his  head. 

One  day  when  Ortnit  and  his  queen  were  seated  in  the 
banqueting  hall,  their  warriors  feasting  around  them,  a  stranger 
was  announced,  who  said  that  he  had  come  from  the  East,  and 
was  the  bearer  of  rich  presents  to  the  royal  pair.  After  a  few 
minutes'  delay,  the  ambassador  was  admitted.  He  was  of  gigantic 
height,  wild  of  aspect,  and  said  that  his  name  was  Welle.  He 
announced  that  King  Machorell  had  sent  him  to  make  friends 
with  Ortnit  in  his  name  and  for  his  fair  daughter's  sake ;  that 
the  king,  in  token  of  his  reconciliation  with  his  son-in-law,  had 
sent  him  the  finest  jewels  to  be  found  in  all  Syria.  Having 
thus    spoken,  Welle    called  his  wife,  Ruotze.      She  at  once  ap- 


72  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

peared,  and  was  even  taller  and  more  hideous  than  himself.  She 
dragged  four  great  coffers  into  the  hall,  the  contents  of  which 
she  unpacked  and  displayed  before  the  king  and  queen  and  all 
the  court.  The  first  contained  dresses  and  steel  wares  of  every 
sort  and  kind  ;  the  second  was  full  of  silver  bracelets  and 
ornaments  of  wonderful  workmanship  ;  the  third  was  the  same, 
except  that  the  ornaments  were  of  gold  instead  of  silver.  The 
fourth  case  was  opened  by  the  man  himself,  who  lifted  out  of  it, 
very  carefully,  two  enormous  eggs  of  strange  form  and  colour. 

"  These  are  the  eggs  of  the  Abrahamic  magic  toad,"  said  the 
man.  "  When  they  are  hatched,  which  my  wife  will  see  to,  you 
will  find  in  each  the  wondrous  toad-stone,  that  shines  like 
the  sun  in  a  dark  place,  or  else  a  marvellous  creature  that  will 
defend  your  coasts  against  every  invader  if  you  only  feed  it 
well.  I  am  King  Machorell's  chief  huntsman,  and  understand 
how  to  bring  up  the  beast,  and  feed,  and  teach  it  its  duties. 
So,  I  pray  you,  appoint  me  and  my  wife  a  damp  and  quiet 
place  amongst  the  mountains  where  we  can  watch  over  the  eggs. 
Next  year  my  royal  master  himself  will  cross  the  seas,  make 
friends  with  you  in  person,  and  see  the  miraculous  result  of 
our  care  with  his  own  eyes." 

The  queen's  heart  was  filled  with  joy  at  these  signs  of  her 
father's  forgiveness,  and  throwing  her  arms  round  her  husband's 
neck,  she  entreated  that  the  proffered  friendship  should  be 
accepted.  The  courtiers  were  quite  of  her  opinion  ;  but  Zacharis, 
the  faithful  heathen,  shook  his  head,  and  spoke  his  distrust  both 
loudly  and  clearly.  No  one  listened  to  him.  The  king  gave 
orders  that  the  giants  should  be  well  treated,  and  provided 
with  food,  and  all  they  needed  in  the  mountains,  by  the  gover- 
nor of  the  province  in  which  the  place  most  suitable  for 
hatching  the  eggs  was  situated. 

High  up  in  the  mountains  near  Trient  was  a  marshy   bit   of 


ORTNIT.  73 

ground,  extending  far  within  a  cavern  at  the  foot  of  a  precipi- 
tous rock.  Welle  and  his  wife  took  up  their  abode  there,  and 
every  day  the  governor  sent  them  a  supply  of  food.  Ruotze 
brooded  over  the  eggs  untiringly.  Before  very  long  the  shells 
cracked,  and  two  little  lind-worms  (dragons)  crept  out.  They 
were  pretty  creatures,  dainty  in  all  their  movements  and  obedient 
to  every  command  of  the  giant  and  his  wife.  The  governor  used 
sometimes  to  go  and  see  them,  and  delighted  in  their  agility  and 
funny  ways.  The  worst  of  it  was  that  they  had  enormous  appe- 
tites, and  the  more  they  ate  the  faster  they  grew,  and  the  more 
they  wanted  to  eat.  They  were  soon  taller  than  their  guardians 
when  they  raised  themselves  in  the  air,  and  began  to  show  them- 
selves malicious  and  bad-tempered.  The  governor  hesitated  to 
supply  their  wants  when  he  found  that  they  needed  more  than 
two  oxen  a  day ;  the  wrath  of  the  creatures  at  what  they  con- 
sidered semi-starvation  was  so  great  that  Welle  and  Ruotze  grew 
frightened,  and  took  refuge  in  another  cave.  As  soon  as  their 
guardians  deserted  them,  the  monsters  crept  out  of  their  hole, 
and  began  to  wander  over  the  whole  district,  devouring  men  and 
cattle,  and  whatever  came  in  their  way.  The  people  deserted 
their  old  homes  and  fled  to  the  mountain  fastnesses.  All  in  vain  : 
the  lind-worms  pursued  them,  and  continued  to  devour  all  who 
fell  into  their  clutches.  The  governor  sent  out  large  detachments 
of  horse  and  foot  against  them,  but  hardly  a  man  returned  to 
tell  the  tale  of  defeat  and  misery.  And  with  every  hearty  meal 
the  monsters  grew  larger  and  stronger.  Every  one  was  in  despair, 
for  it  seemed  as  if  the  whole  kingdom  would  be  devastated. 

Ortnit's  Fight  with  the  Lind-worm. 

One  day  the  Emperor  Ortnit  went  to  his  wife  and  asked  her 
to    help  him   to  put  on  his   armour,  for  he  had  to  go  out  and 


74  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

fight  a  hard  battle.  She  could  hardly  pronounce  the  words 
"  with  whom  ? "  she  trembled  so. 

"  Well,  Liebgart,"  he  said,  "  you  must  know  that  the  dragons 
which  are  doing  so  much  harm  to  the  country  are  the  toad- 
stones  your  father  sent  me.  I  am  the  guardian  of  my  people ; 
and  as  they  helped  me  when  I  went  to  Syria  to  win  you,  I 
must  now  help  them  in  my  turn  by  going  out  against  these 
monsters  to  slay  them,  —  or  myself  be  slain,  I  know  not 
which." 

The  empress  wept  and  told  her  fears,  but  her  husband  com- 
forted her  by  reminding  her  that  he  still  had  the  good  sword 
Rosen,  that  could  cut  through  steel  and  iron,  and  even  dragon's 
scales.  "  Should  I  not  return,"  he  continued,  "  an  avenger  will 
come.  If  any  one  brings  you  back  this  ring  that  you  once  gave 
me,  you  may  know  that  he  is  my  avenger,  and  give  him  your 
hand  in  marriage." 

He  then  kissed  her  and  tore  himself  away.  She  gazed  after 
him  with  tearful  eyes  as  long  as  he  was  in  sight,  thinking  sadly 
how  many  noble  warriors  had  preceded  him  in  his  quest,  and 
how  none  of  them  had  ever  returned  to  home  or  friends. 

Ortnit  at  length  reached  the  rock  where  he  expected  to  find 
the  lind-worms.  Seeing  them  nowhere,  he  dismounted,  blew  his 
horn,  and  loosed  the  faithful  dog  that  he  had  taken  with  him 
to  help  him  to  hunt  the  monsters  down.  Suddenly  a  door  in 
the  rock  opened,  and  the  giant  Welle  came  out,  shouting  to 
him  to  come  on,  and  calling  him  opprobrious  names ;  but  the 
king  cut  his  great  club  in  two  with  one  stroke  of  his  sword. 
The  giant  sprang  back,  and  in  a  moment  had  unsheathed  a  sword 
six  yards  long,  whirled  it  round  his  head,  and  struck  Ortnit  so 
hard  a  blow  upon  the  helmet  that  he  fell  senseless  to  the 
ground. 

"  Well  hit,  old  moon-calf,"  cried  Ruotze,  putting  her  head  out 


ORTNIT.  y^ 

at  the  door ;  "  let  me  go  to  him  now  and  wring  his  neck,  and 
throw  his   body  into  the  dragons'  den." 

At  this  moment  the  setter,  which  had  disappeared  in  the 
wood,  began  to  bark  furiously,  and  Ruotze  rushed  away  to  see 
what  was  the  matter.  Upon  this,  Ortnit  started  to  his  feet,  and 
with  a  swing  of  his  sword  cut  off  one  of  the  giant's  legs.  The 
monster  howled  with  pain,  and  defended  himself  resting  against 
the  rock,  but  his  opponent  immediately  cut  off  his  other  leg. 
Hearing  the  noise,  the  giantess  returned.  Arming  herself  with 
an  uprooted  tree,  she  hit  out  at  the  hero  with  all  her  strength ; 
but,  blinded  by  passion,  she  miscalculated  the  distance,  and 
brought  the  tree  down  so  hard  on  her  husband's  head  that  she 
split  jt  open.  Ortnit  then  slew  the  giantess,  after  which  he  rested 
awhile  from  his  labours ;  ate  and  drank  some  of  the  provisions 
he  had  brought  with  him,  and  let  his  steed  graze  at  will  on  the 
short  sweet  grass  of  the  upland  meadow.  Rested  and  refreshed, 
he  once  more  set  out  on  his  quest.  Riding  through  a  wood,  he 
came  up  with  some  charcoal-burners,  and  asked  them  where  he 
should  find  the  lind-worms.  They  tried  to  persuade  him  to  turn 
back,  but  in  vain.  Then  they  told  him  that  the  monsters  had 
set  out  to  travel  west ;  that  one  of  them,  having  a  nest  of 
young  ones,  had  stayed  somewhere  on  the  road  hidden  in  a  cave, 
while  the  other  had  gone  deeper  into  the  mountains,  perhaps 
even  into  another  land. 

Unheeding  the  warning  he  had  just  received,  Ortnit  rode  away 
towards  the  west.  When  evening  came,  he  rested  for  a  short 
time;  but  as  his  food  was  nearly  finished,  and  he  wanted  to 
reach  an  inhabited  spot  as  soon  as  possible,  he  set  out  again,  and 
rode  all  night  long.  Next  day  he  reached  a  meadow,  and  there 
he  saw  little  Alberich  seated  under  a  tree.  The  dwarf  looked 
very  sad,  and  when  Ortnit  drew  rein  beside  him,  said  : 

"  My  dear  son,  you  are  going  to  your  death.     Return  to  Garden, 


76  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 


for  I  have  no  power  over  the  diabolical  monsters  you  are  seek- 
ing.    I  cannot  help  you." 

"  I  need  no  help,"  replied  the  hero.  **  Have  I  not  the  sword 
Rosen  ?  It  will  help  me  to  conquer  the  powers  of  hell  that  are 
arrayed  against  my  poor  people." 

"  May  you  be  successful !  "  said  the  little  creature,  and  springing 
into  the  saddle  he  kissed  his  son.  "  May  you  be  successful !  and 
to  that  end,  watch  and  slumber  not.  Remember  that  it  is  the 
last  advice  I  can  give  you.  Now  give  me  back  the  ring  you 
got  from  your  mother.  You  shall  have  it  again  if  you  return  to 
Garden  safe  and  sound." 

Scarcely  had  Ortnit  returned  the  ring  when  he  felt  a  kiss  upon 
his  lips,  and  the  dwarf  had  disappeared. 

The  hero  rode  on  unfalteringly  over  hill  and  dale,  and  through 
many  a  wild  glen.  At  last  he  unexpectedly  reached  the  very 
lime-tree  under  which  he  had  had  his  first  interview  with  Alberich. 
The  birds  were  singing  as  before.  All  looked  peaceful  and  still. 
Both  Ortnit  and  his  horse  were  worn  out,  so  he  dismounted,  and 
letting  his  steed  graze,  laid  himself  at  full  length  on  the  soft  grass, 
his  faithful  dog  at  his  side.  He  thought  over  his  project,  and  was 
strongly  tempted  to  return  home  to  Garden  and  sweet  Liebgart ; 
but  he  put  the  desire  from  him,  "  for,"  he  reasoned  within  him- 
self, "the  prince  and  people  are  as  one  person,  of  which  the 
people  form  the  body  and  the  prince  the  head ;  so  the  prince,  to 
be  worthy  of  his  high  calling,  must  as  far  as  in  him  lies  protect 
his  people  from  all  injury.  And  I  have  every  right  to  trust  to 
my  strength,  my  sword  and  my  good  cause  for  victory."  It 
seemed  as  though  the  birds  in  the  linden-tree  had  read  his 
thoughts,  and  were  singing  a  paean  of  joy  and  encouragement 
over  him  and  them.  He  watched  them  quietly,  but  soon  fatigue 
gained  the  upper  hand — his  eyelids  closed,  and  he  fell  asleep. 

All  at  once  the  birds  ceased  their  song,  the  branches  stopped 


THE   DRAGON    FINDS   ORTNIT   ASLEEP. 


ORTNIT. 


79 


their  soft  waving  to  and  fro,  and  the  flowers  bent  their  heads  as 
though  a  breath  of  poisoned  air  were  passing  over  them.  Crawl- 
ing through  the  thicket,  trees  and  bushes  breaking  with  its 
weight,  came  the  terrible  lind-worm,  its  jaws  wide  open,  showing 
its  long  pointed  teeth.  The  faithful  dog,  with  a  howl  of  mingled 
fear  and  anger,  pulled  at  his  master,  hoping  to  wake  him ;  but 
in  vain,  for  Ortnit  was  as  though  in  a  charmed  sleep.  The  dog 
then  sprang  upon  the  dragon,  but  could  not  touch  it  because 
of  the  way  it  slashed  about  with  its  tail.  At  this  moment  the 
horrible  creature  caught  sight  of  Ortnit,  flung  itself  upon  him, 
carried  him  into  the  thicket,  and  then  broke  all  his  bones  by 
dashing  him  again  and  again  upon  the  ground.  But  though  his 
bones  -were  broken,  his  armour  remained  whole  as  at  the  first. 
Then  taking  the  dead  body  up  in  its  powerful  jaws,  the  lind-worm 
bore  it  home  to  its  nest  in  the  noisome  cave,  where  its  young 
ones  fell  ravenously  upon  their  favourite  food,  and  devoured  as 
much  as  they  could  get  at  through  the  steel  rings  of  the  coat  of 
mail.  The  dog,  which  had  followed  the  dragon  home  in  hopes 
of  saving  his  master,  watched  all  night  by  the  cave,  but  finding 
himself  powerless  to  help,  set  out  early  next  morning  on  his 
way  back  to  Garden. 


SiDRAT  THE   SORROWFUL   (LIEBGART). 

Meanwhile  Liebgart  and  the  old  queen  were  very  anxious. 
They  hoped  and  feared  alternately.  On  the  fourth  day,  as  they 
were  sitting  together,  they  heard  something  scratching  at  the 
door.  Liebgart  opened  it,  and  saw  the  faithful  dog,  her  husband's 
companion  on  his  last  journey.  Instead  of  showing  his  usual  joy 
at  seeing  her,  the  dog  crept  slowly  in,  and  lay  down  at  the  old 
queen's  feet  with  a  low,  moaning  whine. 


8o  LANGOBARDIAN  LEGENDS. 

"He  is  dead — murdered  by  the  monsters,"  cried  the  unhappy- 
mother.  These  were  the  last  words  she  ever  spoke,  for  next 
moment  she  sank  back  dead  in  her  chair. 

The  shrieks  of  the  young  queen  brought  her  women  into  the 
room,  and  soon  the  sad  news  was  known  to  all.  There  was  now 
no  king  in  Lombardy,  no  one  to  keep  order  in  the  land.  The 
great  nobles  fought  and  quarrelled  incessantly,  and  the  country 
was  split  into  factions.  At  last,  tired  of  this  state  of  anarchy,  it 
was  agreed  by  the  notables  in  council  that  the  only  thing  that 
could  save  the  kingdom  was  for  Licbgart  to  choose  a  husband 
who  had  sufficient  wisdom  and  power  to  make  a  good  ruler. 
They  went  to  the  queen,  each  hoping  in  his  secret  heart  that  he 
would  be  chosen  by  her.  But  on  hearing  what  was  required  of 
her,  she  answered  with  solemn  earnestness  that  she  would  pre- 
serve her  faith  to  Ortnit  unbroken,  and  that  none  was  worthy  to 
succeed  him  unless  he  could  slay  the  lind-worms  and  avenge  his 
death.  The  nobles  looked  at  each  other  in  a  shamefaced  man- 
ner, and  hastened  to  leave  the  royal  presence  ;  but  avarice  and 
ambition  soon  regained  the  upper  hand,  and  civil  war  seemed 
imminent.  Liebgart,  deprived  of  all  means  of  support, — for  even 
the  treasury  had  been  despoiled  by  the  nobles, — was  forced,  in 
company  with  a  few  women  who  were  faithful  to  her,  to  make 
her  own  livelihood  by  spinning. 

The  Margrave  of  Tuscany  was  much  distressed  when  he 
heard  of  the  straits  to  which  the  queen  was  reduced.  He  offered 
her  an  asylum  in  his  country;  but  she  said  that  at  Garden  she 
had  been  happy  with  Ortnit,  and  there  she  also  wished  to 
sorrow  for  him.  Touched  by  her  faithfulness,  the  prince  sent 
her  food  and  wine,  that  she  might  no  longer  have  to  work  for 
the  necessaries  of  life.  So  she  lived  on,  the  Lombards  trying 
to  force  her  to  seek  refuge  from  the  ills  of  life  by  a  second 
marriage ;  but  in  vain ;  she  bore  all  the  miseries  of  her  lot  with 


ORTNIT.  8 1 

quiet  patience,  for  she  strengthened  herself  with  thoughts  of  her 
husband  and  of  the  avenger  for  whom  she  hoped. 

This  hope,  which  sometimes  rose  hke  a  star  on  the  cloudy 
night  of  sorrow  in  which  she  lived,  was  one  day  to  be  fulfilled, 
but  not  for  a  long  time. 


THE  AMELUNGS. 


HUGDIETERICH    AND    FAIR 
HILDBURG. 


THE  AMELUNGS. 


I. 

HUGDIETERICH    AND 
WOLFDIETERICH. 

HUGDIETERICH    AND    FAIR 
HiLDBURG. 

HILE  Ortnit's  ancestors 
ruled  over  Lombardy,  the 
great  Emperor  Anzius  lived  at  Constantinople,  and  governed 
Greece,   Bulgaria,    a^d    many  other  lands.     When   he   died,   he 


w 


HUGDIETERICH  AND  HILDBURG.  83 

confided  his  son,  Hugdieterich,  to  the  care  of  his  faithful  friend, 
Berchtung,  duke  of  Meran,  whom  he  had  himself  brought  up, 
and  afterwards  covered  with  honours. 

Berchtung  felt  that  his  first  duty  was  to  choose  a  wife  for 
his  ward,  and  that  only  a  princess  of  equal  rank  and  great 
beauty  and  wisdom  would  be  a  suitable  helpmeet  for  so 
mighty  a  prince.  He  had  travelled  far  and  wide,  and  amongst 
all  the  princesses  he  knew  there  was  one  and  only  one  that 
he  could  propose  as  a  wife  for  his  liege  lord.  But  there  were 
many  difficulties  in  the  way.  Berchtung  confided  his  troubles 
to  the  prince,  and  told  him  how  much  he  wished  to  bring 
about  a  marriage  between  him  and  Hildburg,  daughter  of  King 
Walgund  of  Thessalonica ;  but  he  feared  it  would  be  impossible, 
for  Walgund  loved  the  maiden  so  dearly  that  he  had  shut  her 
up  in  a  high  tower,  and  permitted  no  one  to  speak  to  her 
except  the  old  watchman,  himself,  her  mother,  and  her  maid. 
This  he  did,  fearing  lest  she  should  marry  and  leave  him. 

Hugdieterich  listened  to  the  strange  story  with  great  interest, 
and  determined  to  get  a  sight  of  the  maiden  if  he  could.  So 
he  set  to  work  to  learn  all  that  he  might  of  women's  works 
and  women's  ways,  even  going  so  far  as  to  dress  himself  in 
women's  garments.  After  which  he  announced  his  intention 
of  going  to  Thessalonica  to   make  fair   Hildburg's  acquaintance. 

He  arrived  in  due  course  at  Thessalonica,  disguised  as  a  great 
lady,  with  a  numerous  train  of  female  servants.  Hearing  of  the 
new  arrival,  the  king  and  queen  invited  the  stranger  to  visit 
them.  She  did  so,  and  gave  their  majesties  to  understand  that 
she  was  Hildgunde,  sister  of  the  emperor  Hugdieterich,  and 
that  she  had  been  outlawed  by  her  brother.  She  begged  the 
king  to  protect  her,  and  to  provide  her  with  a  lodging  in  his 
palace,  and  at  the  same  time  presented  the  queen  with  a  costly 
piece  of  embroidery,   as   a   sign  of  her  good  will.     Her  request 


84  THE  AMELUNGS. 


was  granted.  The  queen  then  begged  her  to  teach  her  ladies 
to  embroider  as  she  did  herself.  After  this  all  went  so  well 
that  Berchtung  and  his  men-at-arms  were  sent  back  to  Con- 
stantinople, their  protection  being  no  longer  needed. 

Fair  Hildburg  heard  what  was  going  on,  and  begged  her 
father  to  allow  her  to  see  the  embroideries,  and  the  artist  who 
worked  them.  No  sooner  had  she  done  so  than  she  wished  to 
learn  the  art.  Walgund  gave  his  consent,  thinking  the  stranger 
a  very  suitable  companion  for  his  daughter,  and  Hildburg 
found  great  pleasure  in  her  company.  It  was  not  until  weeks 
afterwards  that  she  discovered  who  her  teacher  was,  and  when 
she  did  their  friendship  became  stronger  than  before,  until  it 
grew  into  acknowledged  love. 

The  fear  lest  their  secret  marriage  should  be  discovered,  one 
day  reached  a  climax. 

"  What  will  become  of  us } "  cried  Hildburg.  "  My  father 
will  never  forgive  us.     He  will  order  us  both  to  be  slain." 

"Then,  at  least,  we  shall  die  together,"  replied  Hugdieterich, 
"but  I  hope  for  better  things.  The  guards  and  your  personal 
attendants  are  on  our  side,  and  I  expect  Berchtung  very  soon 
to  come  and  take  me  home  to  Constantinople,  on  the  plea  that 
my  brother  has  forgiven  me.  I  shall  then  send  an  ambassador 
to  ask  for  your  hand  in  marriage ;  and  when  your  father  knows 
our  secret,  he  will  not  refuse  his  consent." 

Berchtung  came  as  Hugdieterich  had  expected,  and  fetched 
him  away ;  but  the  wooing  had  to  be  put  off  till  a  more  con- 
venient season,  as  war  had  broken  out  on  the  frontier,  and  the 
emperor  was  obliged  to  take  the  field.  Meantime  Hildburg  was 
in  greater  danger  at  home  than  her  husband  in  the  midst  of 
battle.  She  had  a  son.  He  was  born  quietly  in  the  tower,  with- 
out any  one  except  the  three  faithful  friends  who  guarded  the 
princess    there    knowing    aught    about    it.       It    was    not    until 


HUGDIETERICH  AND  HILDBURG.  85 

months  after  this  event  that  the  queen,  her  mother,  sent  to 
say  that  she  was  coming  to  visit  her  daughter.  She  followed 
almost  on  the  heels  of  the  messenger.  The  porter  pretended 
to  have  great  difficulty  in  unlocking  the  door,  and  by  the  time 
he  succeeded,  the  watchman  had  smuggled  the  child  down  to 
a  safe  hiding-place  beside  the  moat.  It  was  already  evening, 
so  the  queen  spent  the  night  with  her  daughter.  When  she 
was  gone  next  morning,  the  faithful  servant  hastened  to  where 
he  had  hidden  the  child,  and  it  was  not  to  be  found.  After 
long  and  anxious  search,  he  returned  to  his  mistress,  and  told 
her  that  he  had  taken  the  boy  to  a  nurse,  who  had  promised 
to  bring  him  up  carefully  and  well. 

Soon  after  this,  Berchtung  arrived  at  Thessalonica  to  thank 
the  king  In  his  master's  name  for  the  reception  he  and  his 
family  had  given  the  princess,  his  sister,  and  to  ask  for  the 
hand  of  the  Lady  Hlldburg,  with  whom  the  emperor  had  fallen 
in  love  from  his  sister's  description.  The  king  put  off  giving 
any  immediate  answer  to  this  request,  and  asked  Berchtung  to 
a  great  hunt  he  Intended  to  give  In  his  honour  on  the  fol- 
lowing day. 

It  was  a  lovely  morning  when  the  hunters  set  out  for  the 
forest.  They  rode  on  cheerily,  and  had  a  good  day's  sport.  At 
length  chance  led  the  king  and  Berchtung  past  the  tower 
where  sad  Hildburg  spent  her  weary  days  In  waiting  for  the 
husband  who  came  not.  As  they  rode  along,  they  discovered 
the  fresh  track  of  a  wolf  leading  towards  a  spring.  They  fol- 
lowed the  spoor,  which  led  them  to  a  den  In  a  thicket  close 
by,  and  In  the  den  was  a  strange  sight. 

In  the  centre  of  the  nest,  and  surrounded  by  a  litter  of  wolf-cubs 
so  young  as  to  be  still  blind,  lay  a  beautiful  child.  He  was 
playing  with  the  little  wolves,  pulling  their  ears,  and  chatting  in 
baby  language  such  as  only  mothers  and  nurses   can  translate. 


86  THE  AMELVNGS. 


But  evidently  his  companions  did  not  like  his  attentions,  and  the 
mother-wolf's  ire  was  so  roused  against  him,  that  it  wanted  very- 
little  more  to  make  her  spring  upon  the  child,  and  put  a  sudden 
end  to  his  play.  The  old  wolf  came  up  at  the  same  moment, 
so  that  the  danger  was  much  increased.  Seeing  this,  the  two 
hunters  flung  their  spears  with  so  much  skill  as  to  kill  both  the 
old  wolves  on  the  spot.  Then  the  king  lifted  the  baby  in  his 
arms  as  gently  as  if  it  had  been  his  own  child. 

**  It's  very  strange,"  he  said,  "  how  much  I  feel  drawn  to  this  boy. 
But  he  must  be  hungry,  poor  little  man.  My  daughter's  tower  is 
close  to  here ;  we  shall  find  some  fresh  milk  there,  and  she  will  be 
glad  to  see  the  little  fellow  ;  she  is  so  fond  of  children,  and  seldom 
gets  a  chance  of  seeing  them." 

They  walked  on  slowly,  Berchtung  carrying  the  child,  while  the 
king  examined  the  wolfs  track  with  great  interest  and  attention. 

"  Look  here,"  he  said,  "  is  it  not  strange }  The  tracks  lead 
straight  from  the  den  to  the  moat ;  I  wonder  if  the  wolf  stole 
the  child  from  anywhere  near  this." 

Fair  Hildburg  was  not  a  little  astonished  when  she  heard  her 
father's  tale.  She  took  the  child  in  her  arms,  and  at  once 
recognised  him  by  a  birth-mark  on  his  arm  in  the  shape  of  a  red 
cross.  She  struggled  to  conceal  her  feelings,  and  offered  as  calmly 
as  she  could  to  take  care  of  the  child,  and  only  begged  her  father 
to  send  a  nurse  as  quickly  as  possible. 

When  he  got  home,  the  king  told  the  queen  of  his  adventure, 
and  she  was  very  curious  to  see  the  child.  She  sent  for  a  nurse, 
and  accompanied  her  to  the  tower.  Arrived  there,  the  queen 
sought  her  daughter,  and  found  her  busied  with  the  child. 

"  How  I  wish,"  said  the  queen,  taking  it  in  her  arms,  "  that  I 
knew  who  the  boy's  mother  is !     She  must  be  in  such  distress." 

"Yes,"  answered  Hildburg;  "but  look  at  his  clothes,  how  fine 
they  are  !     They  show  that  he  is  of  princely  descent." 


HUGDIETERICH  AND  HILDBURG.  87 

"  Oh  dear,"  sighed  the  queen,  "  what  a  lucky  woman  I  should 
think  myself  if  I  had  a  gransdon  like  that ! " 

Hildburg  could  keep  her  secret  no  longer.  She  threw  herself 
into  her  mother's  arms,  and  told  her,  with  many  tears,  that  she  was 
secretly  married  to  Hugdieterich,  and  that  the  child  was  theira 
The  queen  was  startled,  angry, — but — it  was  done,  and  could  not 
be  undone.  It  was  at  least  a  comfort  to  think  that  the  child's 
father  was  a  mighty  emperor !  She  told  her  daughter  she  would 
say  nothing  ;  but  would  think  what  was  best  to  be  done. 

Walgund  felt  strangely  attracted  by  the  child.  He  came  to  the 
tower  almost  every  day  to  visit  it  and  his  daughter.  On  such 
occasions  the  queen  would  tell  him  how  much  she  wished  for  a 
son-in-law  and  such  a  grandchild  as  this.  She  reminded  him  that 
they  might  in  their  old  age  fall  a  prey  to  the  barbarous  tribes 
in  the  neighbourhood,  if  they  had  not  some  young,  strong  man 
to  take  their  part,  and  added  that  in  her  opinion  Hugdieterich 
would  not  be  amiss.  In  short,  the  queen  prepared  the  way  so  well 
that  when  Berchtung  made  his  formal  offer  for  the  princess'  hand, 
the  king  after  slight  hesitation  gave  his  consent,  on  the  sole 
condition  that  Hildburg  was  not  averse  to  taking  Hugdieterich 
as  a  husband.     The  queen  then  told  her  lord  the  whole  story. 

"  Wonderful ! "  he  exclaimed,  too  much  astonished  to  be  angry. 

Hugdieterich  arrived  soon  afterwards,  and  was  publicly  married 
to  the  Lady  Hildburg.  After  the  wedding  festivities  were  over,  he 
set  out  for  Constantinople,  accompanied  by  his  beautiful  wife,  and 
the  little  boy,  who  was  named  Wolfdieterich,  in  remembrance  of 
his  first  adventure. 

With  the  empress  went  Sabene,  one  of  the  notables  of  Thessa- 
lonica,  as  her  father  had  much  confidence  in  his  wisdom,  and 
wished  him  to  be  his  daughter's  counsellor  in  any  matters  of 
difficulty.  He  made  himself  so  useful,  that  he  soon  became 
necessary  to  her,  and  at  the  same  time  won  the  confidence  of 


THE  AMELUNGS. 


honest  Duke  Berchtung  so  completely  that  he  persuaded  the 
emperor  to  make  Sabene  regent  during  their  absence  on  a  foreign 
campaign. 

The  high  position  he  had  gained  through  the  duke's  kindness, 
made  the'  false-hearted  man  bolder  and  more  self-confident  than 
ever.  One  day  he  went  so  far  as  to  speak  unbecomingly  to  the 
empress.  The  noble  lady  reproved  him  severely,  and  he  fell  at 
her  feet,  begging  her  pardon,  and  entreating  her  not  to  tell  the 
emperor  of  his  impertinence.  She  promised,  but  commanded  him 
never  more  to  appear  in  her  presence. 

When  Hugdieterich  returned  victorious,  Sabene  was  the  first  to 
meet  him.  He  gave  him  an  account  of  his  stewardship,  and  at  last 
remarked,  as  though  by  chance,  that  there  was  a  great  deal  of 
dissatisfaction  amongst  the  people  regarding  Wolfdieterich,  the 
heir-apparent,  who  rumour  said  was  not  the  king's  child,  but  the 
son  of  an  elf,  or,  worse  still,  of  an  alraun,  who  had  been  palmed 
off  upon  the  royal  family  by  a  witch.  Hugdieterich  laughed  at 
the  story  as  at  a  nursery  tale.  The  only  effect  it  had  on  him  was 
to  make  him  take  his  son  from  under  the  charge  of  Sabene,  and 
give  him  into  the  care  of  faithful  Berchtung,  that  he  might  learn 
all  knightly  exercises  with  the  duke's  sixteen  sons. 

Time  passed  on,  and  the  empress  presented  her  husband  with 
two  other  sons,  named  Bogen  and  Waxmuth,  who  were  also  sent 
to  Berchtung  to  be  educated.  The  old  duke  loved  all  his  pupils 
dearly,  but  Wolfdieterich  was  his  special  favourite,  for  he  showed 
himself  full  of  every  quality  that  makes  a  true  knight  and  noble 
warrior.  The  busy  emperor  seldom  found  time  to  go  to  Lilien- 
porte,  the  castle  of  Meran,  and  Hildburg  was  a  still  less  frequent 
visitor,  so  that  Wolfdieterich  had  grown  accustomed  to  look  upon 
Berchtung  as  his  father,  and  the  duchess  as  his  mother.  His 
brothers,  Bogen  and  Waxmuth,  had  long  since  returned  to 
Constantinople,  where  crafty  Sabene  did  all  that  he  could  to  gain 


WOLFDIETERICH.  89 


their  friendship  and  confidence.  Their  mother  was  sorry  to  see  it ; 
and  fearing  lest  evil  should  come  of  it,  she  told  her  husband  all 
that  had  happened  between  them  many  years  before.  Hugdie- 
terich's  wrath  blazed  forth,  and  Sabene  scarcely  escaped  alive. 
He  fled  from  the  country,  and  sought  refuge  amongst  his  kindred 
in  the  land  of  the  Huns. 

Hugdieterich,  worn  out  by  many  anxieties  and  battles,  grew 
old  before  his  time.  When  he  felt  his  end  approach,  he  arranged 
all  his  affairs  with  the  utmost  care.  He  bequeathed  to  his 
eldest  son  Constantinople  and  the  larger  part  of  the  empire,  while 
the  two  younger  sons  were  given  kingdoms  farther  to  the  souths 
and  the  empress  and  Berchtung  were  to  see  the  will  carried' 
out.  But  scarcely  was  the  emperor  laid  in  the  grave,  when  the 
notables  of  the  land  met  in  council,  and  demanded  the  recall 
of  Sabene,  because  otherwise  they  feared  he  might  carry  out  his 
threat  of  bringing  the  wild  Huns  upon  them.  The  empress 
did  not  feel  herself  strong  enough  to  withstand  the  clamour  of 
the  nobles,  so  she  sent  for  the  traitor. 


WOLFDIETERICH   AND   HIS   ELEVEN. 

No  sooner  had  Sabene  returned  than  he  began  to  scheme 
again.  He  spread  amongst  the  people  his  silly  tales  about 
the  origin  of  Wolfdieterich.  He  said  that  the  empress  had 
oeen  secretly  wedded  to  an  elf  while  she  lived  in  that  solitary 
tower;  and  that  it  was  elfish  spells  that  had  prevented  the 
wolves  from  tearing  the  child  in  pieces.  The  populace  believed 
the  story  the  more  easily  from  its  utter  incredibility,  and  demanded 
that  Wolfdieterich  should  remain  at  Meran.  Sabene  even  suc- 
ceeded in  making  the  royal  brothers,  Waxmuth  and  Bogen, 
believe  his  tale,  and  give  him  the  power  for  which  he  hungered. 
Sure  of  his  own  position,  he  acted  with  the  utmost  harshness. 


90  THE  AMELUNGS. 


He  bade  the  empress  leave  the  palace  and  go  to  her  son  at 
Meran.  He  only  allowed  her  to  take  with  her  a  maid-servant, 
a  horse,  and  her  clothes.  Everything  else  that  she  possessed, 
whether  through  her  father  or  her  husband,  had  to  be  left 
behind.  The  two  young  kings  did  not  interfere  on  her  behalf, 
for  Sabene  had  shown  them  that  her  treasures  would  be  very 
useful  to  them  in  equipping  an  army,  supposing  Wolfdieterich 
and  the  Duke  of  Meran  attacked  them. 

When  Hildburg  arrived  at  Hugelwarte,  an  outwork  of  Lilien- 
porte,  she  was  travel-stained  and  sorely  spent.  At  first  Duke 
Berchtung  refused  to  admit  her,  because  she  had  recalled 
Sabene  contrary  to  his  advice.  But  at  last,  filled  with  pity 
for  the  unhappy  woman,  he  led  her  into  the  castle,  and  treated 
her  there  with  royal  honours.  The  duchess  received  her  sur- 
rounded by  seventeen  young  men,  who  all  called  her  mother. 
The  empress  did  not  at  once  recognise  her  son,  who  was  the 
tallest  and  stateliest  amongst  them ;  but  as  soon  as  each  knew 
the  other,  Wolfdieterich,  throwing  himself  into  her  arms,  tried 
to  comfort  her  by  promising  to  restore  her  to  her  former  rank 
and  splendour. 

Duke  Berchtung  at  first  counselled  peace,  because  the  position 
of  the  two  kings  seemed  to  him  so  strong  and  unassailable; 
but  at  length,  carried  away  by  his  foster-son's  enthusiasm,  he 
not  only  gave  his  consent,  but  placed  his  sixteen  sons  and 
their  sixteen  thousand  followers  at  the  disposal  of  the  prince. 
It  was  settled,  while  the  men  were  being  called  together,  that 
the  duke  and  Wolfdieterich  should  set  out  for  Constantinople, 
and  see  whether  they  might  not  attain  their  end  by  peaceful 
means. 

The  day  after  their  arrival,  they  met  Sabene  and  the  kings 
in  council.  Berchtung  was  received  with  all  honour,  while 
nobody  seemed  even  to  see  his  companion.     When  Wolfdieterich 


WOLFDIETERICH.  gr 

rose,  and  demanded  his  rightful  share  of  the  royal  heritage, 
Bogen  answered  that-  ?  changehng  had  no  right  to  any  share  ; 
and  Sabene  added  tnac  he  ought  to  apply  to  the  alraun,  his 
father,  for  a  kingdom  in  the  realms  of  hell.  Wolfdieterich  laid 
his  hand  on  his  sword ;  but  his  foster-father's  words  and  looks 
of  entreaty  sufficed  to  calm  him  down  and  prevent  any  open 
expression  of  anger.  The  kings  and  Sabene  did  their  utmost  to 
persuade  the  duke  to  join  their  party,  but  in  vain ;  and  when  the 
council  broke  up,  the  old  man  went  away,  hiding  his  displeasure 
as  best  he  could.  He  and  Wolfdieterich  mounted  their  horses 
and  returned  to  Lilienporte  without  loss  of  time. 

After  a  few  days'  rest  they  set  out  again  for  Constantinople, 
but  this  time  in  battle  array.  On  reaching  the  borders  of  Meran, 
they  found  the  royal  forces  drawn  up  to  meet  them.  As  evening 
was  closing  in,  they  encamped  in  a  wide  valley  surrounded  on 
all  sides  by  a  forest.  Next  morning  the  troops  rose  refreshed, 
and  each  side  made  sure  of  victory. 

The  battle-song  was  now  raised,  and  echoed  amongst  the 
mountains  like  rolling  thunder.  Next  instant  the  armies  met. 
Wolfdieterich  was  always  to  be  seen  in  front  All  at  once  he 
turned  to  Berchtung,  and  said : 

"  Do  you  see  Sabene  and  my  brothers  on  yonder  hill  ?  I  will 
go  and  see  whether  they  or  the  alraun's  son  are  the  better 
men." 

With  these  words,  he  set  spurs  to  his  horse  and  dashed  through 
the  enemy's  ranks.  Old  Berchtung,  who  had  vainly  tried  to 
restrain  him,  now  followed  with  his  sons  and  a  small  body 
of  his  men-at-arms. 

As  they  neared  the  hill,  they  found  themselves  surrounded 
by  the  Greeks  on  every  side.  The  carnage  was  terrible.  Six 
of  Berchtung's  sixteen  sons  fell  at  his  side,  while  a  stone  struck 
Wolfdieterich   on   the    helmet,   and   stretched   him   senseless  on 


92  THE  AMELUNGS. 


the  ground.  But  the  old  duke  and  his  other  sons  picked  him 
up,  and  brought  him  safely  off  the  field.  All  night  long  they 
fled,  and  after  resting  only  a  few  hours  during  the  day,  resumed 
their  journey.  On  their  arrival  at  Lilienporte,  they  found  that 
many  of  their  men  had  got  there  before  them. 

"We  will  await  the  traitors  here,"  said  Berchtung.  "They 
may  break  their  teeth  on  our  stone  walls,  and  then  go  away 
worse  than  they  came.  We  have  supplies  enough  to  last  four 
years,  and  can  bid  them  defiance." 

Soon  after  this,  the  enemy  appeared  before  the  fortress. 
Sabene  demanded  that  the  prince  should  be  delivered  up  to 
them,  and  threatened  that  if  this  were  refused  he  would  burn  the 
castle  and  all  within  it.  The  only  answer  made  by  the  besieged 
was  a  sortie,  led  by  Wolfdieterich  in  person.  He  still  was  hope- 
ful of  victory,  but  numbers  prevailed.  He  had  to  retreat,  and 
with  difficulty  regained  the  fortress.  From  that  day  he  lost  the 
confidence  and  gaiety  of  youth,  and  became  grave  and  silent ; 
his  trust  in  the  sure  success  of  a  righteous  cause  was  gone.  He 
lost  his  faith  in  Divine  justice,  and  said  he  had  fallen  a  victim  to 
the  resistless  power  that  men  call  Fate. 

SiGEMINNE. 
The  siege  had  already  lasted  three  years,  and  yet  there  was 
no  hope  of  an  end.  The  food  had  grown  scanty  ;  and  if  the 
enemy  chose  to  make  famine  their  ally,  the  castle  must  finally 
capitulate.  The  duke  vainly  sought  for  some  plan  of  deliverance. 
One  day  Wolfdieterich  came  to  him,  and  said  that  he  intended 
to  slip  out  of  the  fortress  by  night,  make  his  way  through  the 
enemy's  camp,  and  go  to  Lombardy,  there  to  ask  the  help  of 
Ortnit,  the  powerful  emperor  of  the  West.  The  old  man  did 
his  best  to  dissuade  the  lad,  reminding  him  that  their  provisions 
would  last  yet   a  year,  and  that  the  enemy,   already  weakened 


WOLFDIE  T ERICH. 


93 


by  sickness,  might  raise  the  siege  before  long.  The  young  hero 
was  not  to  be  held  back :  at  midnight  he  took  leave  of  his  foster- 
father  and  his  other  faithful  friends. 

"  May  God  protect  you,  my  dear  lord,"  said  Berchtung,  clasping 
him  in  his  arms,  "  You  will  have  to  cross  the  deserts  of  Roumelia, 
which  are  uninhabited,  save  by  wild  beasts  and  evil  spirits.  There 
you  will  find  Rauch-Else,  who  lies  in  wait  for  young  warriors. 
Beware  of  her,  for  she  is  a  witch,  cunning  in  enchantments.  If 
you  are  fortunate  enough  to  reach  the  emperor  Ortnit,  do  not 
forget  your  trusty  henchmen,  me  and  my  ten  remaining  sons." 

So  they  parted.  They  arranged  that  the  besieged  should 
make  a  sally  through  the  principal  gate  of  the  fortress,  to  draw 
off  the  enemy's  attention  to  that  quarter,  while  Wolfdieterich 
got  away  by  a  postern  door  at  the  back.  He  was  nearly  out 
of  the  enemy's  camp  when  he  was  recognised.  Immediately 
mounting  his  horse,  he  drew  his  sword  and  cut  his  way  through 
their  midst,  and  once  in  the  dark  forest  beyond,  he  was  safe 
from  pursuit.  All  night  long  Wolfdieterich  rode  through  the 
wood.  He  heard  the  were-wolves  howling  in  the  distance,  but 
none  came  near  to  seek  his  life.  As  morning  broke,  he  found 
himself  by  the  side  of  a  broad  moorland  lake.  All  sorts  of 
strange  creatures  rose  out  of  it,  and  sought  to  bar  the  road.  Two 
of  them  he  killed,  but  he  let  the  others  escape.  He  wandered 
three  days  in  the  wilderness,  finding  nothing  for  his  horse  or 
himself  to  eat.  He  shared  the  bread  he  had  in  his  wallet  with 
his  steed.  It  was  but  a  little  at  best ;  and  the  faithful  creature 
was  at  last  too  exhausted  to  carry  him  farther,  so  he  dismounted 
and  led  it  by  the  bridle. 

On  the  fourth  evening,  fatigue  overpowered  him  so  much  that 
he  was  forced  to  rest.  He  lighted  a  fire  with  the  brush- 
wood scattered  about.  The  warmth  did  him  good,  for  a  cold 
mist   hung  over    the    face  of    the    earth.       He    and    his    horse 


94  THE  AMELUNGS. 


quenched  their  thirst  at  a  neighbouring  rill,  after  which  he  lay- 
down,  and  making  a  pillow  of  his  saddle,  thought  over  his  sad 
fate.  Sleep  was  beginning  to  steal  upon  his  senses,  when  he 
was  suddenly  roused  by  a  noise  in  the  dry  grass.  Something 
black,  and  horrible  to  look  upon,  crept  nearer  and  nearer.  It 
raised  itself  in  the  air;  its  height  was  appalling.  It  spoke 
to  him,  not  with  a  human  voice ;  the  sound  was  more  like 
the  growling  of  an  angry  bear. 

"  How  dare  you  rest  here  !  "  said  the  monster.  "  I  am  Rauch- 
Else  (rough  Alice),  and  this  ground  belongs  to  me  ;  besides 
which,  I  have  another  and  a  wider  realm.  Get  up,  and  go  at 
once   or  I  will  throw  you  into  the  quaking  bog." 

Wolfdieterich  would  willingly  have  obeyed,  but  he  was  too 
tired.  He  could  not  move.  He  therefore  begged  the  bear-like 
queen  to  give  him  something  to  eat,  telling  her  that  his  cruel 
brothers  had  deprived  him  of  his  inheritance,  and  that  he  was 
now  starving  in  the  desert. 

"  So  you  are  Wolfdieterich,"  growled  the  bear-woman.  "  Well, 
Fate  has  marked  you  out  to  be  my  husband,  so  you  may  count 
upon  my  aid." 

Upon  which  she  gave  him  a  juicy  root,  and  scarcely  had  he 
eaten  one  mouthful  when  his  courage  returned,  and  his  strength 
seemed  tenfold  what  it  had  ever  been  before.  It  even  came 
into  his  mind  that  he  could  conquer  the  Greek  forces  single- 
handed,  and  set  his  eleven  faithful  servants  free.  In  obedience 
to  Rauch-Else's  command,  he  gave  the  rest  of  the  root  to  his 
horse,  which  first  smelt  it  carefully,  and  then  ate  eagerly.  No 
sooner  had  it  done  so,  than  it  began  to  paw  the  ground,  and 
neighed  with  eagerness  to  resume  its  journey. 

"  Speak,  will  you  be  my  true  love  1 "  asked  the  bear-woman, 
coming  up  to  the  youth,  and  preparing  to  clutch  him  to  her 
heart  with  her  terrible  claws. 


WOLFDIETERICH.  q. 


"Keep  back,"  he  cried,  drawing  his  sword.  "Demon  that 
you  are,  seek  a  husband  in  hell,  where  alone  you  will  find  a 
helpmeet  worthy  of  you." 

"Have  I  not  fed  and  succoured  you?"  asked  Rauch-Else ; 
"  was  that  done  like  a  demon  t  I  have  long  waited  for  you 
to  come  and  free  me  from  an  evil  spell.  Love  me,  and  save 
me. 

It  seemed  to  the  warrior  as  if  her  voice  had  all  at  once  grown 
soft  and  human  in  its  tones. 

"Yes,  yes,"  he  said,  "if  only  you  were  not  so  rough  and 
hairy." 

He  had  hardly  spoken,  when  the  black  fleece  slowly  slipped 
to  her  feet,  and  a  beautiful  woman  stood  before  him,  her  brow 
encircled  by  a  diadem,  and  her  green  silken  garment  confined 
at  the  waist  by  a  jewelled  belt.  Her  voice  was  sweet  and 
thrilling  as  she  repeated  her  former  words. 

"  Speak,  young  hero,  will  you  love  me  ?" 

His  only  answer  was  to  clasp  her  in  his  arms  and  kiss 
her. 

"  You  must  know,"  she  said,  "  that  although  Rauch-Else  was 
my  name  here  in  the  wilderness,  I  am  really  Sigeminne,  queen 
of  Old-Troja.  Your  'yes'  has  set  me  free  from  the  spell  of 
the  enchanter,  so  we  can  now  set  out  for  my  country,  of  which 
you  shall  be  king." 

Full  of  joy  and  thankfulness,  they  started  on  their  way, 
followed  by  Wolfdieterich's  horse.  At  last  they  heard  the 
sound  of  waves  breaking  upon  the  shore,  to  which  they  soon 
afterwards  descended.  There  they  found  a  curious  vessel  await- 
ing them.  The  prow  was  formed  of  a  fish's  head,  large  and 
pointed.  At  the  helm  stood  a  merman,  whose  outstretched 
arm  was  the  handle  by  which  the  rudder,  or  fish's  tail,  was 
worked.       Instead    of    sails,    the    vessel    was    rigged    out    with 


96  THE  AMELUNGS. 


griffins'  wings,  the  advantage  of  which  was,  that  they  enabled 
it  to  go  against  both  wind  and  tide,  when  such  a  course  was 
thought  desirable.  The  merman  was  so  marvellously  fashioned 
out  of  cedar-wood  from  Mount  Lebanon,  that  it  could  steer 
wherever  the  travellers  wished  without  their  help.  There  were 
other  wonders  on  board  the  ship,  such  as  a  cap  of  darkness, 
a  ring  with  a  stone  ensuring  victory  to  the  wearer,  a  shirt  of 
palm-silk,  and  many  other  things.  The  shirt  seemed  as  though 
it  would  only  fit  a  little  child ;  but  when  Sigeminne  put  it 
on  her  lover,  it  grew  bigger  and  bigger,  until  it  fitted  him 
exactly. 

"  Take  great  care  of  it,"  she  said,  "  and  wear  it  whenever 
you  are  in  any  danger,  for  it  will  protect  you  alike  from 
steel  and  stone,  from  fire  and  dragon's  tooth." 

Wafted  by  the  griffins'  wings,  the  vessel  clove  the  western 
sea,  swift  as  the  wind,  and  soon  brought  the  travellers  to  Old- 
Troja.  There  the  people  received  their  beloved  queen  with 
shouts  of  joy,  and  cheered  loud  and  long  when  she  introduced 
the  stately  warrior  Wolfdieterich  as  her  future  husband.  The 
marriage  was  solemnized  with  great  festivities,  and  a  life  of 
joy  began  for  the  new  king.  By  the  side  of  his  fair  wife  he 
forgot  all  his  misfortunes  and  sorrows,  and,  alas !  even  the 
Eleven  Friends  he  had  left  in  peril  of  their  lives.  Now  and 
then,  when  he  was  alone,  the  memory  of  all  that  had  come 
and  gone  would  cross  his  mind  like  something  he  had  dreamt, 
and  then  he  would  reproach  himself  with  neglecting  his  duty ; 
but  Sigeminne  had  only  to  take  his  hand,  and  he  once  more 
forgot  that  honour  and  duty  alike  bade  him  be  up  and  doing. 

Once  when  he,  his  wife,  and  the  whole  court  were  out  hunt- 
ing, a  wondrous  stag  with  golden  horns  broke  out  of  a 
neighbouring  thicket.  He  did  not  seem  to  be  afraid,  but, 
after   looking  at  the  hunters,  turned  back  to  the  wood. 


WOLFDIETERICH.  97 

"  Up,  good  folk,"  cried  Sigeminne.  "  Whoever  kills  that  stag, 
and  brings  me  the  golden  antlers,  shall  stand  high  in  my 
favour,  and  receive  a  ring  from  my  own  hand." 

A  number  of  huntsmen  started  in  pursuit,  first  among  them 
Wolfdieterich.  The  stag  led  him  by  many  devious  paths, 
only  to  disappear  at  last.  Wolfdieterich  returned  to  the  tents 
much  disappointed.  When  he  got  there,  he  found  all  in 
confusion ;  for  that  terrible  magician.  Giant  Drusian,  followed 
by  many  armed  dwarfs,  had  fallen  on  the  camp  during  the 
absence  of  the  king  and  his  warriors,  and  had  carried  off  the 
queen.  No  one  knew  where  he  had  taken  her  to.  Wolfdieterich 
was  now  as  much  alone  in  the  world,  and  as  wretched,  as  he 
had  been  that  terrible  day  in  the  desert.  One  thought  filled  his 
mind — the  thought  of  Sigeminne.  He  would  seek  her  through 
the  world  ;   and  if  he  could  not  find  her,  he  would  die ! 

He  exchanged  his  royal  robes  for  a  pilgrim's  dress,  and 
hid  his  sword  in  a  hollow  staff",  which  served  to  support  him 
on  his  journey.  Thus  accoutred,  he  wandered  through  many 
lands,  asking  everywhere  for  the  castle  of  Giant  Drusian.  At 
length  he  learnt  from  a  tiny  dwarf,  that  the  man  he  sought 
lived  in  the  lofty  mountains  far  over  the  sea,  and  that  many 
dwarfs  owned  him  for  their  lord.  He  set  out  again,  and 
journeyed  on  and  on,  till  at  length  the  castle  came  in  sight. 
He  sat  down  to  rest  by  a  spring,  and  gazed  longingly  at  the 
place  where,  as  he  believed  and  hoped,  he  should  find  his 
wife.  His  fatigue  was  so  great  that  he  fell  asleep,  dreamt  of 
her,  and  was  happy  in  his  dreams. 

All  at  once  he  was  wakened  by  a  rough  voice,  and  a  blow 
on  the  ribs. 

"  What,  ho !  pilgrim,"  said  the  voice.  "  Have  you  snored 
lono-  enough?  Come  home  with  me,  and  have  some  food. 
My  wife  wants  to  look  at  you." 

G 


98  THE  AMELUNGS. 


Wolfdieterich  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  followed  the  giant  who 
had  wakened  him  so  roughly,  and  who  now  strode  before  him 
to  the  castle.  He  knew  that  he  had  reached  the  end  of  his  pil- 
grimage, and  entered  the  wide  hall  with  thanksgiving  and  joy. 

There  sat  Sigeminne,  her  eyes  red  with  weeping ;  and  as 
she  looked  at  him,  he  saw  that  she  knew  who  he  was.  He 
pulled  himself  together  with  a  violent  effort  not  to  betray  his 
identity. 

"  There,  wife,"  growled  Drusian,  "  there's  the  priest  you  wanted 
to  see,  that  he  might  speak  to  you  about  his  religion.  What 
a  mite  he  is,  to  be  sure,  and  as  dumb  as  a  lizard  into  the  bargain  ! 
There,  bag-of-bones,"  he  added,  turning  to  the  pilgrim,  "  sit  down 
by  the  fire,  and  see  if  some  of  our  good  food  will  not  warm  your 
thin  blood." 

The  pilgrim  did  as  he  was  desired,  for,  anxious  and  excited  as 
he  felt,  he  was  starving.  Dwarfs  brought  in  food  and  drink,  and 
he  ate  till  his  hunger  was  satisfied.  The  giant  questioned  him 
up  and  down,  and  received  short  answers,  some  of  them,  it  must 
be  confessed,  far  erK)ugh  from  the  truth  ! 

As  twilight  deepened,  Drusian  seized  the  lady  by  the  hand, 
and  pulled  her  from  her  seat,  saying,  "  There,  you  see  the  son 
of  the  alraun,  who  freed  you  from  the  bearskin,  he  will  not 
succeed  in  freeing  you  from  me  a  second  time.  He  fears  a 
broken  skull  too  much.  The  term  you  asked  for  is  over  now, 
so  come  with  me." 

He  would  have  dragged  Sigeminne  from  the  room,  but  the 
pilgrim  had  already  thrown  aside  his  disguise,  and  drawn  his 
sword   from  the  hollow  staff. 

"Back,  monster,"  he  shouted,  "that  is  my  wife."  With  these 
words  he  sprang  upon  the  giant.  The  suddenness  of  the  attack 
made  the  latter  jump  back,  exclaiming,  "  Why,  alraun,  are  yoit 
Wolfdieterich  ?     If  that  is  the  case,  we    must    have   everything 


WOLFDIETERICH.  loi 


fair  and  in  order.  You  must  arm  and  fight  with  me— if  you 
arc  brave  enough,  that  is  to  say.  Sigeminne  shall  be  the  wife 
of  the  conqueror." 

The  hero  consented  to  fight  the  duel,  and  the  dwarfs  brought 
him  three  suits  of  armour  to  choose  from.  One  was  of  gold, 
the  second  of  silver,  and  the  third  of  iron,  very  heavy,  but  old 
and  rusty.  He  chose  the  last,  but  kept  his  own  sword. 
Drusian  also  put  on  his  coat  of  mail,  and  caught  up  his  battle- 
axe. 

After  some  time,  Wolfdieterich's  shield  was  broken  by  a 
violent  blow  from  his  opponent's  axe.  The  hero  seemed  lost  ; 
but  avoiding  the  next  blow,  and  grasping  his  sword  with  both 
hands,  he  struck  so  hard  a  stroke  that  the  sharp  blade  cut  deep 
down  through  neck  and  shoulder.  Scarcely  had  the  monster 
fallen,  when  the  dwarfs  swarmed  round  the  victor  with  their 
small  daggers  and  spears  to  avenge  their  master.  The  fine 
needle-points  pierced  the  rings  of  his  armour,  but  the  palm-silk 
shirt  protected  the  solitary  warrior  from  every  wound.  At  last 
he  forced  them  back,  and  husband  and  wife  were  able  to  clasp 
each  other's  hands,  and  to  assure  one  another  of  a  love  that 
would  last  till  death. 

"  Let  us  away  from  this  cursed  house,"  cried  the  hero  ;  "  who 
can  tell  but  the  dwarfish  rabble  are  spinning  new  toils  for  us." 

They  hastened  out  into  the  deserted  court,  and  then  sought 
a  stable,  in  which  they  found  two  saddled  horses.  These  they 
mounted,  and  rode  away. 

After  a  long  and  tiring  journey,  they  reached  Old-Troja, 
where  the  return  of  the  queen  and  her  brave  husband  was 
greeted  with  joy. 

Sigeminne  ruled  her  people  with  a  gentle  hand,  but  justly 
and  firmly;  no  wonder,  then,  that  they  loved  her.  After  her 
return,  she  was  even  sweeter  and  more  thoughtful  for  others  than 


I02  THE  AMELUNGS. 


she  had  ever  been  before ;  but  she  was  pale  and  thin,  and  what 
was  worse,  grew  paler  and  thinner  day  by  day.  One  evening, 
when  she  and  her  husband  were  sitting  alone  together,  she 
raised  her  sweet  face  to  his  and  said,  "  When  I  am  gone,  you 
must  go  back  to  your  own  country  and  people,  for  then  you 
will  be  looked  upon  as  a  stranger  and  usurper  here,  and  the 
land  might  be  wasted  by  civil  war." 

The  thought  of  her  death  cut  him  to  the  heart,  but  he  strove 
to  look  cheerful  for  fear  of  distressing  his  wife.  He  redoubled 
his  anxious  care  of  her,  but  all  in  vain :  her  doom  was  sealed. 
He  had  been  strong  enough  to  conquer  the  giant  and  save  his 
wife,  but  he  was  powerless  to  save  her  now.  She  died  in  his 
arms,  and  he  laid  her  in  her  early  grave. 

The  Knife  Man. 

Once,  when  he  was  standing  sadly  by  her  last  resting-place, 
he  suddenly  remembered  that  she  had  bidden  him  go  back  to 
his  own  country  when  she  was  dead  ;  and  then  the  thought  of 
his  mother  and  his  Faithful  Eleven  rushed  back  into  his  mind. 
He  also  recollected  that  he  had  never  carried  out  his  plan  of 
calling  the  Emperor  Ortnit  to  their  assistance. 

"  I  shall  never  forget  you,  dear  wife,"  he  murmured,  "  but  I 
should  be  unworthy  of  your  great  love  for  me  if  I  did  not  at 
once  set  out  to  bring  freedom  to  those  who  have  been  true  to 
the  death  in  their  fidelity  to  me." 

He  turned  away,  and  hastened  to  make  ready  for  his  Journey. 

He  passed  through  many  lands,  rich  and  poor.  One  evenincr 
he  saw  a  castle  before  him,  and  asked  a  passing  traveller  to 
whom  it  belonged. 

"  Sir,"  replied  the  man,  crossing  himself,  "  ride  on  quickly,  if 
you   be   a   Christian,  for   that  stronghold   is  where   the  heathen 


WOLFDIETERICH.  103 

king  Beligan  lives,  with  his  daughter  Marpilia,  a  maiden  learned 
in  magic  arts.  He  slays  every  Christian  he  can  catch,  and 
sticks  his  head  on  a  spike  placed  on  the  battlements  for  the 
purpose.  Look,  there  is  one  place  empty  still ;  beware  lest  your 
head  be  sent  to  fill  it." 

The  hero  explained  that  he  felt  no  fear  of  that,  as  his  armour 
was  good,  and  he  must  have  sharp  weapons  who  sought  to  pierce 
it.  But  the  traveller  assured  him  that  the  king  so  thoroughly 
understood  the  art  of  dagger-throwing,  that  none  could  escape 
from  him  alive. 

Wolfdieterich  and  the  man  parted  company.  The  former 
would  have  ridden  past  the  castle,  had  not  the  owner  come  out 
to  meet  him,  and  invited  him  to  spend  the  night  with  him ;  an 
invitation  the  hero  was  far  too  brave  a  man  to  decline.  The 
daughter  of  his  host,  a  young  and  beautiful  girl,  received  him 
at  the  gate,  and  led  him  into  the  hall.  While  they  supped 
together,  Wolfdieterich,  on  being  questioned,  told  them  whence 
he  came,  and  whither  he  was  going ;  and  Beligan  saw  from  his 
answers  that  he  was  a  Christian.  The  heathen  king  then 
informed  his  guest,  with  a  diabolical  smile,  that  he  had  come 
just  in  time  to  provide  a  head  to  make  up  the  required  number 
on  the  battlements.  Wolfdieterich  understood  what  was  meant, 
but  shewing  no  signs  of  fear,  he  raised  his  goblet  to  his  lips, 
and  emptied  it  to  the  health  of  his  host  and  his  daughter. 

Bedtime  came,  and  Beligan,  taking  him  aside,  told  him  that 
he  had  found  grace  in  the  eyes  of  his  daughter  Marpilia,  and 
that  he  might  marry  her  if  he  liked,  receiving  both  castle  and 
kingdom  as  her  dowry,  on  one  condition — that  he  would  worship 
Mahmet.  Wolfdieterich  asked  for  tim'e  to  think  over  the  pro- 
posal ;  but  the  heathen  smiled,  and  said — 

"  You  may  have  to-night  to  consider  the  plan  ;  that  is  long 
enough." 


104  THE  AMELUNGS. 


He  then  offered  him  a  goblet  of  wine,  into  which  he  had 
secretly  thrown  a  powder. 

"  Drink,  friend,"  he  said,  "  and  you  will  sleep  long  and  soundly 
to-night" 

The  hero  was  on  the  point  of  obeying,  when  Marpilia,  who  had 
re-entered,  snatched  the  goblet  out  of  her  father's  hand,  and 
emptying  it  on  the  floor,  exclaimed, — 

"Not  so,  father.  I  intend  to  teach  the  stranger  better  things 
to-night." 

She  led  her  guest  to  his  room,  and  said, — 

"  I  have  saved  you  from  a  great  danger.  My  father  was  about 
to  give  you  a  sleeping  potion,  that  he  might  slip  into  your  room 
in  the  night  and  cut  off  your  head,  as  he  has  already  done  to 
many  a  Christian.  I  now  offer  you  my  hand  and  kingdom,  if 
you  will  only  pretend  to  follow  our  faith." 

Wolfdieterich  thought  of  Sigeminne,  and  turning  to  Marpilia 
did  his  best  to  convert  her  to  his  faith.  They  spent  the 
whole  night  talking  on  these  subjects. 

The  next  morning  Beligan  came,  and  invited  his  guest  to  join 
him  at  breakfast,  and  after  that,  in  a  little  game  of  throwing 
the  dagger,  explaining  that  such  was  their  custom.  As  soon  as 
breakfast  was  over,  they  went  into  the  court,  where  the  king's 
servants  stood  round  them  in  a  wide  circle.  The  hero  laid  aside 
his  armour  and  sword  as  he  was  desired.,  and  received  a  buckler 
and  three  sharp  and  pointed  daggers.  The  heathen  took  his 
stand  opposite,  armed  in  like  manner.  The  latter  flung  the 
first  dagger  at  his  opponent's  foot,  and  he  avoided  it  by  spring- 
ing to  one  side. 

"  By  the  beard  of  the  Prophet,"  cried  the  heathen,  "  who  taught 
you  that.?  Are  you  Wolfdieterich,  from  whom  it  is  foretold 
that  evil  shall  befall  me.?" 

Wolfdieterich  would  not  confess  to  his  name,  but  stood  ready 


WOLFDIETERICH.  105 

again  for  the  fight.  The  second  dagger  scratched  his  head, 
carrying  off  a  bit  of  the  scalp ;  the  third  he  caught  on  his 
buckler. 

It  was  now  the  hero's  turn  to  throw.  His  first  dagger  pinned 
the  heathen's  left  foot  to  the  ground ;  the  second  scratched  his 
side ;  but  the  third,  which  he  flung  with  the  cry,  "  I  am  VVolf- 
dieterich !  "  struck  him  to  the  heart.  He  was  now  attacked  on 
all  sides,  but  succeeded  in  putting  his  opponents  to  flight.  He 
then  re-entered  the  castle,  put  on  his  armour,  took  his  horse 
out  of  the  stable,  and  was  about  to  mount,  when  he  suddenly 
saw  that  a  wide  lake  surrounded  the  castle  on  every  side,  and  a 
gale  of  wind  was  blowing  the  great  waves  so  high  that  there 
seemed  no  chance  of  escape.  At  the  edge  of  the  water  stood 
Marpilia,  describing  circles  in  the  air  and  on  the  ground  with 
a  magic  wand,  and  murmuring  to  herself  the  while.  Riding  up 
to  her,  he  caught  her  in  his  arms,  and  swung  her  before  him  on 
his  horse. 

"If  I   am  to  drown,  witch,  you  shall  not  escape,"  he  said. 

With  these  words  he  spurred  his  horse  into  the  wild  waves, 
and  saw  that  the  waters  stretched  out  farther  and  farther,  until 
they  seemed  a  sea.  He  looked  around,  and  saw  that  only  one 
chance  was  left  him.  He  flung  the  witch-woman  off  his  horse  ; 
instantly  the  storm  ceased,  the  waters  retired,  and  he  was  once 
more  on  dry  land. 

But  Marpilia  was  not  drowned.  She  appeared  before  him 
again  in  all  her  beauty,  stretching  out  her  arms  as  if  to  embrace 
him,  but  he  threatened  her  with  his  drawn  sword.  Then  she 
changed  into  a  magpie,  flew  to  the  top  of  a  high  rock,  and  sought 
from  thence  to  entangle  him  with  new  enchantments,  each  more 
terrible  than  the  other.  At  last,  thoroughly  spent  with  fatigue, 
he  exclaimed,  "  Help  me,  Thou  Three  in  One,  or  I  die." 

Scarcely  had  he  uttered  the  words  when  the  witch  vanished, 


io6  THE  AMELUNGS. 


the  sun  shone  once  more  upon  mount  and  vale,  and  before  him 
lay  the  broad  road  that  led  to  Lombardy. 

After  meeting  with  many  adventures  by  land  and  water,  he 
travelled  through  a  wild  mountain  region,  and  there  he  fell  in 
with  a  giantess,  an  old  friend  of  his  father,  who  received  him 
very  kindly,  and  told  him,  amongst  other  things,  of  the  sad  fate 
of  Ortnit  and  Liebgart.  Although  her  tale  diminished  his  hopes 
of  help,  he  was  yet  determined  to  continue  his  journey.  The 
giantess  said  it  would  take  an  eternity  travelling  as  he  did, 
horses  were  so  slow!  With  that  she  picked  up  both  horse  and 
rider,  and  carried  them  pick-a-back  on  her  broad  shoulders  three 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  in  one  day,  over  mountains,  valleys  and 
rivers,  and  set  him  down  in  the  fair  land  of  Lombardy. 

The  Lind-Worm. 

It  was  a  beautiful  moonlight  night  when  Wolfdieterich  reached 
Garden.  He  dismounted,  and  standing  under  the  shadow  of  an 
olive-tree,  he  looked  about  him.  He  saw  two  women  walking 
on  the  sea-shore.  One  of  them  was  tall  and  stately.  When 
she  threw  back  her  veil,  he  nearly  uttered  a  cry  of  astonishment, 
she  was  so  like  Sigeminne.  Had  the  grave  given  up  its  dead, 
or  had  some  deceitful  elf  taken  the  beloved  form  to  lead  him 
into  danger  ? 

He  stood  breathless  to  listen,  and  heard  Queen  Liebgart,  for 
it  was  she,  complain  to  her  serving-maid  of  the  manifold 
sorrows  and  indignities  she  had  been  forced  to  endure. 

"  The  cowardly  vassals  !  '*  she  said.  "  They  have  courage 
enough  to  frighten  a  weak  woman,  but  no  one  dares  to  do  the 
only  thing  that  I  desire  on  earth — to  avenge  the  death  of  their 
king  on  the  monster  that  killed  him.     And  yet  I  have  promised, 


WOLFDIETERICH,  107 


although  unwiUingly,  to  give  my  hand  to  the  true  knight  and 
hero  that  will  do  this  thing  ! " 

"There  is  only  one  man,"  said  the  maid,  "who  could  do  the 
deed,  and  that  is  the  Greek  Wolfdieterich,  whose  fame  is  spread 
abroad  in  every  land." 

"The  avenger  is  come,  great  queen,"  said  the  hero,  stepping 
out  of  the  shade  where  he  had  stood.  "  I  will  venture  my  life 
to  conquer  the  dragon." 

The  two  women  started  back  in  alarm. 

"  It  is  Wolfdieterich  ! "  cried  the  maid.  "  He  once  saved  me 
from  a  band  of  robbers." 

"  Thanks,  noble  hero,"  said  Liebgart,  "  and  may  Heaven  protect 
you  on  your  quest !  But — the  monster  will  take  your  life  as  it 
did  my  husband's.  Nay,  go  your  way  in  peace,  and  leave  me  to 
my  fate." 

But  when  the  Greek  showed  her  that  his  mind  was  firm, 
Liebgart  gave  him  a  ring  which  the  dwarf  had  told  her  would 
bring  good  luck  to  the  wearer,  wished  him  all  success,  and  then 
returned  to  Castle  Garden. 

Without  more  delay  the  hero  turned  his  horse  to  the  moun- 
tains, and  made  the  best  of  his  way  to  the  Hnd-worm's  hole, 
which  at  length  he  reached.  He  peeped  into  the  dark  cavern, 
and  saw  five  dragons'  heads  staring  and  hissing  at  him.  These 
were  the  young  "  worms  " — the  old  one  had  gone  out  to  seek 
for  food.  The  hero  was  about  to  slay  them  there  and  then,  but 
it  suddenly  occurred  to  him  that  it  would  be  better  if  the  old 
worm  knew  nothing  of  his  coming,  and  it  would  be  an  easy  task 
to  kill  the  little  ones  when  the  mother  was  dead.  So  remounting 
his  horse,  he  set  out  in  search  of  the  monster.  As  he  rode  on 
slowly,  he  saw  a  beautiful  child  standing  on  a  rock.  It  called  to 
him, — 

"You  are  come  to  revenge  my  son  Ortnit;  beware  that  you 


,o3  THE  AMELUNGS. 


sleep  not,  for  if  you  sleep  my  son  will  remain  unrevenged,  and 
you  will  fall  a  prey  to  the  dragon." 

"  My  good  friend,"  laughed  the  hero,  "  you  are  too  young  to 
be  a  father.  I  advise  you  to  look  out  for  yourself.  You  would 
be  a  sweeter  morsel  for  the  monster  than  I !  " 

And  setting  spurs  to  his  horse,  he  rode  away  laughing.  Like 
Ortnit,  he  came  first  to  the  high  cliffs,  and  then  to  the  meadow, 
where  clover  grass  and  flowers  grew  in  wonderful  profusion.  A 
linden-tree  shaded  part  of  it  from  the  heat  of  the  mid-day  sun. 
The  hero  was  tired  after  his  long  journey  and  wakeful  night.  He 
stretched  himself  in  the  shade  to  rest,  while  his  horse  grazed  in 
the  meadow.  Fatigue,  the  fresh  sweet  air,  and  the  song  of  the 
birds  in  the  branches  overhead,  all  combined  to  make  him  drowsy, 
so  he  gradually  fell  asleep. 

Perfect  peace  reigned  in  the  quiet  spot.  It  seemed  as  though 
it  might  last  for  ever,  but  suddenly  it  was  broken  by  a  horrible 
hissing,  a  crashing  of  rocks  and  breaking  of  trees.  The  dreadful 
monster,  the  terror  of  the  land,  was  drawing  near.  At  the  same 
moment  Alberich  exclaimed  : 

"Wake,  noble  hero  ;  sleep  no  more  ;  the  lind-worm  is  upon  you." 

The  dwarf  repeated  his  warning  several  times  in  vain.  The 
faithful  horse  galloped  up  to  his  master,  and  kicked  him,  but  he 
did  not  awake.  It  was  not  until  the  dragon  gave  utterance  to 
a  loud  and  hideous  roar,  that  made  the  rocks  crack  and  the 
mountains  tremble,  that  the  hero  was  at  last  aroused  from  his 
trance.  He  sprang  to  his  feet  and  attacked  the  monster  ;  but 
his  weapons  were  all  too  weak  for  the  work  they  had  to  do — they 
broke  like  reeds  on  the  creature's  hide,  without  doing  it  any 
injury.,  So  he  flung  the  handle  of  his  broken  sword  in  the 
monster's  face,  and  commended  his  soul  to  God,  for  he  was 
defenceless.  The  worm  caught  him  up  in  the  coils  of  its  long 
.  tail,  and  at  the  same  moment  seized  the  horse  in  its  great  jaws. 


WOLFDIETERICH.  109 


Then  it  bore  its  victims  away  to  its  den,  and  threw  them  down 
as  food  for  its  young.  After  which,  it  went  away  again  in  search 
of  more  food.  The  little  dragons  tried  to  devour  Wolfdieterich, 
but  could  not,  he  was  so  well  protected  by  his  shirt  of  palm- 
silk,  so  they  thrust  him  aside  unconscious,  and  turned  their 
attention   to  the  horse,  which  they  soon  disposed  of. 

In  the  middle  of  the  night  Wolfdieterich  came  to  himself,  and 
began  to  look  about  him  carefully.  The  moonlight  penetrated 
the  cavern,  and  showed  him  at  a  little  distance  something  that 
shone  bright  red.  He  moved  towards  it  cautiously  for  fear  of 
waking  the  dragons,  and  found  that  the  object  which  had 
attracted  his  eye  was  a  huge  carbuncle  in  a  sword-hilt.  He  at 
once  knew  that  this  must  be  the  sword  Rosen,  and  took  pos- 
session of  it,  as  well  as  of  the  rest  of  Ortnit's  armour  that  he 
found  lying  uninjured  amongst  other  coats  of  mail,  which  however 
were  all  more  or  less  broken.  With  the  armour  he  found  a  ring. 
This  he  put  upon  his  finger.  His  preparations  were  no  sooner 
completed  than  daybreak  came,  and  with  it  the  old  lind-worm. 
He  at  once  attacked  her,  and,  thanks  to  the  magic  sword,  slew 
her  and  all  her  brood  after  a  hard  struggle.  Thoroughly  ex- 
hausted, he  threw  himself  under  a  tree,  where  he  lay  panting 
and  breathless.  There  Alberich  found  him,  and  revived  him  with 
food  and  wine. 

Before  the  victorious  hero  set  out  on  his  return  to  Garden,  he 
went  back  into  the  dragon's  den  to  get  the  heads  of  the  mon- 
sters ;  but  when  he  had  cut  them  off,  he  found  that  they  were 
much  too  heavy  to  carry,  so  he  contented  himself  with  taking 
their  tongues.  These  he  put  in  a  leather  bag  that  one  of 
Alberich's  dwarfs  brougiit  him  for  the  purpose,  and  then  began  his 
journey,  which  was  made  longer  and  more  wearisome  by  having 
to  be  done  on  foot.  He  often  lost  his  way  amongst  the  wild 
mountains,  and  did  not  reach  his  destination  for  many  days. 


no  THE  AMELUNGS. 


When  he  got  to  Garden,  he  found  the  castle  full  of  feasting 
and  mirth.  Wondering  much,  he  went  to  a  pious  hermit  who 
lived  near,  and  asked  him  the  meaning  of  what  was  going  on. 
From  him  he  learnt  that  the  Burgrave  Gerhart  had  slain  the 
lind-worm,  and  was  to  be  married  to  beautiful  Liebgart  that  very 
evening.  Wolfdieterich  then  begged  the  holy  man  to  lend  him 
priestly  garments,  and  having  received  those  that  had  formerly 
belonged  to  brother  Martin,  the  hermit's  predecessor,  he  put 
them  on  over  the  armour  he  had  found  in  the  dragon's  cave, 
and  repaired  to  the  castle. 

He  entered  the  great  hall,  and  saw  Burgrave  Gerhart,  nick- 
named •'  Hawk's  Nose,"  seated  next  to  the  pale  queen,  who,  with 
her  maidens,  filled  the  glasses  of  the  guests.  Above  the  Bur- 
grave's  chair  were  the  dragons'  heads,  symbols  of  his  victory 
When  the  queen  saw  the  pretended  hermit,  she  took  him  a  cup 
of  wine,  which  he  emptied  at  a  draught,  and  then  gave  back,  after 
having  slipped  into  it  the  ring  she  had  given  him  on  the  evening 
he  started  on  his  quest.  Liebgart  did  not  notice  the  ring  till 
she  had  returned  to  her  seat  by  Gerhart's  side.  Then  she 
trembled  violently,  but  forcing  down  her  emotion,  she  desired 
the  hermit  to  approach,  and  tell  her  from  whom  he  got  the  ring. 

"  Lady,  you  gave  it  me  yourself,"  he  said,  throwing  aside  his 
disguise. 

Every  eye  was  fixed  on  him  as  he  stood  in  the  middle  of  the 
hall,  clad  in  Ortnit's  wondrous  armour,  and  looking  more  like  a 
god  than  a  mortal  man.  When,  advancing  to  the  queen,  he  laid 
her  husband's  ring  in  her  hand,  and  told  her  how  and  where  he 
had  found  it,  many  voices  cried,  "  Hail  to  the  avenger  of  our 
king,  the  slayer  of  the  dragon  and  its  brood !  Hail  to  the  new 
king  of  Lombardy  !  " 

Burgrave  Gerhart  was  not  to  be  put  aside  so  easily.  He  pointed 
to  the  dragons'  heads  as  proofs  of  his  right ;  but  when  Wolfdieterich 


WOLFDIE  TERICH.  \  \  i 


produced  the  tongues  from  his  wallet,  there  was  no  more  to  be  said 
but  for  Burgrave  Gerhart  to  beg  the  hero's  pardon.  This  he 
received  on  condition  of  swearing  fealty. 

Wolfdieterich  was  now  proclaimed  king  of  Lombardy,  and  was 
told  that  he  was  expected  to  marry  the  queen. 

"My  lords,"  he  said,  "as  ruler  of  this  kingdom,  I  am  also  the 
servant  of  my  people,  and  am  bound  to  labour  for  their  welfare. 
But  as  regards  personal  matters,  such  as  the  choice  of  a  wife,  I 
must  be  free,  and  the  queen  must  also  be  free  to  choose  as  she 
lists.  She  is  yet  mourning  the  loss  of  her  first  husband.  But  if 
she  holds  me  worthy  to  succeed  him,  and  thinks  that  my  love 
and  reverence  will  comfort  her  for  his  loss,  I  offer  her  my  hand 
for  life." 

Liebgart,  remembering  what  Ortnit  had  said  to  her,  placed  her 
hand  in  the  hero's,  and  was  married  to  him  before  long. 

Wolfdieterich  was  no  longer  the  impetuous  boy  who  had  left 
Lilienporte,  but  a  man  who  could  act  with  wisdom,  prudence  and 
forethought.  He  felt  that  his  first  duty  was  to  restore  peace  and 
quiet  to  Lombardy,  and  that  only  after  that  was  done  would  he 
be  at  liberty  to  consult  his  own  wishes,  and  start  to  the  assistance 
of  his  faithful  servants.  A  year  was  spent  in  this  labour,  and 
then  he  told  his  wife  that  he  must  go  to  Lilienporte.  She  wept 
and  said  that  she  feared  lest,  like  Ortnit,  he  should  never  return, 
but  in  the  same  breath  confessed  that  he  was  right,  and  helped 
him  to  make  ready  for  his  journey  and  that  of  his  army,  which  was 
to  number  sixty  thousand  men. 

The  Eleven. 

Winds  and  waves  were  in  their  favour,  and  the  army  landed  at 
a  short  distance  from  Constantinople.  Whilst  the  men  encamped 
in  a  wood,  the  king  set  out  in  peasant's  clothes  to  pick  up  all  the 


112  THE  AMELUNGS. 


news  he  could  learn.  After  spending  hours  wandering  about  the 
city,  and  hearing  nothing  that  was  of  any  use  to  him,  he  chanced 
to  meet  Ortwin,  a  gaoler,  and  a  former  acquaintance  of  his.  The 
man  carried  a  basket  filled  with  black  bread.  The  hero  went  to 
him  and  asked  him  to  give  him  a  loaf  for  Wolfdieterich's  sake. 
The  man  looked  at  him  keenly,  and  recognised  him. 

"Ah,  sire,"  he  said,  "  things  have  gone  badly  here  with  us.  The 
good  old  empress  died  during  the  siege  of  Lilienporte.  When  the 
fortress  capitulated,  the  noble  duke  Berchtung  and  his  sons  were 
put  in  irons  and  flung  into  a  dark  and  dismal  dungeon.  Death 
soon  put  an  end  to  the  old  man's  pain,  but  the  ten  young  lords  are 
still  kept  in  strict  confinement,  and  I  may  bring  them  no  better 
food  than  a  daily  supply  of  this  black  bread  and  water." 

Wolfdieterich  was  miserable  when  he  thought  that  he  was  not 
without  guilt  with  respect  to  his  mother  and  his  old  friend.  He 
could  do  nothing  for  them  now,  but  he  might  still  do  something 
for  the  ten  faithful  servants  who  yet  remained.  He  arranged 
with  Ortwin  that  they  should  have  better  food,  and  should  be 
cheered  by  the  hope  of  a  speedy  deliverance.  The  old  gaoler 
went  on  his  way,  and  the  king  returned  to  his  people. 

He  found  his  men  already  under  arms,  for  they  told  him  that 
Sabene  had  discovered  not  only  that  they  were  there,  but  what 
had  brought  them. 

The  armies  met,  and  the  battle  raged  long  and  furiously,  with- 
out either  side  getting  the  better  of  the  other.  But  at  last  the 
fortune  of  the  day  turned.  The  citizens  of  Constantinople  rose  in 
revolt  against  the  tyranny  that  had  ground  them  down  so  long, 
hastened  to  the  prison,  and  set  Berchtung's  ten  brave  sons  at 
liberty.  Having  done  this,  they  put  themselves  under  their 
command,  and  marched  to  the  assistance  of  Wolfdieterich.  It 
was  a  glorious  victory.  The  hero  was  proclaimed  emperor  on 
the  battle-field. 


HUGDIETERICH  AND    WOLFDIETERICH.  113 

Soon  after  their  return  to  the  capital,  Sabene  and  the  royal 
brothers  were  brought  before  their  judges.  The  first  was  sentenced 
to  death,  and  was  at  once  led  away  to  instant  execution  ;  the  death 
of  the  two  latter  was  likewise  demanded  by  both  people  and  army, 
and  Wolfdieterich  knew  that  they  were  guilty  of  causing  the  death 
of  their  mother  and  that  of  old  Berchtung,  and  had  brought  upon 
him  all  the  troubles  and  difficulties  of  his  early  youth.  Yet  he 
could  not  decide  what  was  best  to  be  done,  and  reserved  judg- 
ment until  the  following  day. 

That  night,  as  the  victor  slept  the  sleep  of  the  just,  his  mother 
appeared  to  him  in  a  dream,  saintlike  and  beautiful  in  aspect.  She 
said  :  "  Spare  my  children,  and  my  blessing  shall  rest  on  thee." 

And  immediately  Berchtung  appeared  at  her  side :  "  God 
has  mercy  upon  His  erring  children  ;  do  not  shed  thy  brothers' 
blood." 

As  the  hero  gazed  at  the  apparitions  in  intense  amazement, 
Liebgart  joined  them,  and  said  gently  :  "  Hast  thou  not  gained 
kingdom,  glory,  and  me,  through  the  ill  deeds  of  thy  brother** 
Return  them,  therefore,  good  for  evil." 

Morning  broke — the  figures  vanished,  leaving  Wolfdieterich 
resolved  what  he  should  do.  He  called  the  nobles  together,  and 
before  them  all  pardoned  Bogen  and  Waxmuth,  restored  them 
their  dignities  and  lands,  to  be  held  thenceforth  as  great  fiefs 
under  him.  At  first  no  one  approved  of  his  clemency,  but  on 
hearing  his  explanation  all  were  silenced. 

As  soon  as  his  arrangements  were  completed,  Wolfdieterich 
returned  with  his  army  to  Lombardy,  and  was  welcomed  by 
Liebgart  with  the  greatest  joy.  After  resting  there  for  awhile,  he, 
his  princes,  and  their  followers  went  to  Rome,  where  he  was 
crowned  emperor.  At  the  feast  which  followed  the  coronation  he 
appointed  the  ten  sons  of  good  Duke  Berchtung  to  be  rulers  of 
great  fiefs.     Herbrand,  the  eldest,  received  Garden  and  its  territory. 

H 


ii4  THE  AMELUNGS. 


Through  his  son  Hildebrand,  of  whose  valiant  deeds  we  shall  hear 
later  on,  he  was  the  ancestor  of  the  Wulfings.  Hache  was  given 
Rhineland,  with  Breisach  as  his  capital.  His  son  Eckehart  was 
the  protector  of  the  Harlungs,  Imbreke,  and  Fritele.  He  is 
celebrated  in  song  and  story  as  the  trusty  Eckehart.  Berchther, 
the  third  son,  succeeded  his  father  at  Meran.  The  other  sons  were 
as  well  endowed,  but  not  as  famous  as  their  brothers,  so  their  names 
and  possessions  need  not  be  told. 

Wolfdieterich  and  Liebgart  had  a  son,  whom  they  named 
Hugdieterich  after  his  grandfather.  He  grew  up  to  be  a  mighty 
hero,  and  was  the  father  of  a  valiant  race. 


KING  SAMSON. 


nq 


KING  SAMSON  (SAMSING). 

|N  the  good  old  times  a  mighty 
yarl  (earl)  ruled  over  the  rich 
town  and  district  of  Salern, 
which  was  one  of  the  largest  fiefs  of  a  great  kingdom.  The  yarl 
governed  so  strictly  and  justly  that  peace  and  plenty  cheered  the 
hearts  of  all  that  dwelt  in  the  district.  He  kept  up  a  large  army 
to  defend  his  coasts  from  the  onslaught  of  the  Vikings,  who 
often  descended  on  them  in  great  numbers  in  hopes  of  plunder 
Amongst  the  followers  of  the  yarl  was  the  warrior  Samson, 
nicknamed  "  The  Black,"  because  of  his  coal-black  hair  and  beard. 


Ii6  THE  AMELUNGS. 


He  was  always  the  first  in  battle,  and  had  even  been  known  to 
disperse  whole  battalions  with  his  single  arm.  He  was  terrible 
to  look  upon.  His  dark  eyes  flashed  under  heavy  beetling  brows. 
His  bull-neck  and  powerful  limbs  bore  witness  to  his  remarkable 
strength.  No  one  could  withstand  him  in  battle.  He  hewed  men 
down,  whether  armed  or  unarmed,  with  as  great  ease  as  if  they 
were  made  of  touchwood.  In  private  life,  on  the  other  hand,  he 
was  gentle  and  kindly,  unless  contradicted  ;  then,  indeed,  he  would 
keep  silence,  but  would  none  the  less  carry  out  his  own  will,  regard- 
less of  the  cost  to  others.  As  can  be  readily  imagined,  few  people 
ventured  to  oppose  him  without  reason. 

One  day  the  yarl,  who  had  just  been  made  king,  was  sitting  at 
a  feast  in  celebration  of  a  great  victory.  His  warriors  were  round 
him  sharing  in  his  joy,  Samson  in  their  midst.  Suddenly  he  rose, 
and,  taking  a  cup  of  wine  in  his  hand,  offered  it  to  the  king,  and 
said,  with  all  courtesy  : 

"  Sire,  many  a  victory  have  I  helped  to  gain  for  you,  and 
now  I  come  to  offer  you  this  cup  and  to  ask  you  to  grant  me 
a  boon." 

"  Speak  on,  brave  hero,"  answered  the  king,  "  and  tell  me  what 
you  desire.  Hitherto  you  have  asked  no  reward  for  your  great 
deeds  of  valour.  What  you  already  have  was  given  of  my  good 
will,  unasked  by  you.  So  demand  what  you  like,  I  can  deny  you 
nothing." 

"  Good,  my  lord,"  said  Samson.  "  I  do  not  want  any  more  castles 
or  lands,  I  am  rich  enough  ;  but  I  am  very  solitary  at  home,  now 
that  my  mother  has  grown  old  and  cross.  Your  daughter  Hildes- 
wid  is  a  sweet  little  thing,  and  I  should  much  like  to  make  her  my 
wife.  Now  you  know  how  you  can  pleasure  me  by  granting  this 
request." 

Rodgeier  was  so  astonished  at  this  address  that  he  nearly  let 
the  cup  fall 


KING  SAMSON.  117 


"  You  are  a  famous  warrior,"  he  said  ;  "  but  the  maiden  is  01 
royal  birth,  and  only  a  king  can  lead  her  home.  You  are  in  her 
service  as  well  as  mine.  So  take  this  plate  of  sweetmeats  and 
bear  it  to  her  in  the  women's  house.  Then  come  back  here,  and 
drown  all  memory  of  your  strange  request  in  a  bowl  of  good 
wine." 

Samson  took  up  the  sweetmeats  silently,  and  bore  them  to  the 
princess,  who  was  busy  embroidering  with  her  maids.  He  placed 
the  dish  before  her,  saying, — 

"  Eat,  sweet  one,  for  I  bring  you  good  news.  You  are  to  follow 
me  to  my  home,  and  live  there  as  my  good  wife.  Dress  now,  and 
bid  one  of  your  maidens  come  with  you." 

On  seeing  the  girl's  hesitation,  he  added, — 

"  If  you  do  not  go  willingly,  you  will  force  me  to  kill  the  yarl, 
and  burn  the  palace,  with  all  that  are  in  it." 

He  looked  so  fierce  and  grim  as  he  spoke,  that  Hildeswid 
trembled  with  fear,  and  obeyed  him  without  a  word. 

He  took  her  by  the  hand  and  led  her  down  to  the  court,  where 
a  groom  was  holding  his  horse  in  readiness.  In  the  clear  light 
of  day,  and  in  the  presence  of  many  watchmen,  none  of  whom 
dared  remonstrate,  Samson  placed  the  princess  before  him  on 
the  saddle,  and  rode  away  with  her  into  the  wood  and  towards 
his  home.  When  he  reached  his  dwelling  the  door  was  locked, 
and  he  knocked  so  thunderously  that  the  sound  was  heard  to  a 
great  distance.  No  answer.  He  knocked  again  and  again.  A 
hoarse  voice  at  last  was  heard  from  within,  proclaiming  that  the 
door  should  not  be  opened  whilst  the  owner  of  the  house  was 
from  home. 

"Mother,"  cried  Samson,  "pull  back  the  bolts,  for  it  is  I — 
your  son — I  have  brought  you  a  princess  to  be  your  daughter, 
and  to  tend  you  in  your  old  age." 

The    door  opened,    creaking    and    groaning,    as    though    un- 


ii8  THE  AMELUNGS. 


accustomed  to  move  on  its  hinges,  and  a  thin  old  woman  came 
out  on  the  threshold,  dressed  in  rags. 

•'  What  ? "  she  cried.  "  Do  you  bring  guests  with  you  ?  That 
woman  in  her  grand  clothes,  her  maid,  and  an  idle  groom.  How 
could  you  do  it  son.?  You  know  how  poor  we  are;"  and  she 
looked  up  at  her  tall  son  with  a  cunning  leer. 

"  But,  mother,"  said  the  warrior,  "  where  is  the  gold  I  sent  you  .' 
Where  are  the  servants  I  gave  you  ?  And  what  have  you  done 
with  the  gorgeous  raiment  I  sent  to  clothe  you  ? " 

"  I  hid  the  gold  away  in  my  chest,"  answered  the  old  woman  ; 
"  for  one  never  knows  whether  one  may  not  become  a  pauper 
in  one's  old  age.  I  dismissed  the  servants  you  gave  me  very 
soon,  for  I  thought  they  would  have  eaten  me  out  of  house  and 
home ;  and  as  for  the  clothes,  I  have  laid  them  aside  to  wait  for 
better  times." 

"  Ah  well,  mother,"  said  Samson,  "  if  that  sort  of  thing  makes 
you  happy,  you  can  do  as  you  like  with  your  own  ;  but  now  open 
the  door  and  let  us  in.  We  are  tired  after  our  long  ride,  and 
would  fain  have  a  good  dinner." 

They  went  into  the  house  and  sat  down.  The  old  woman 
placed  before  them  a  hunch  of  rye  bread  and  a  jar  of  water. 
Samson  would  have  made  but  a  poor  meal,  had  his  groom  not 
brought  out  a  cut  of  venison  and  some  wine,  with  which  he  had 
taken  care  to  provide  himself  before  leaving  the  palace.  After 
he  had  stilled  his  hunger,  Samson  begged  his  lady's  permission  to 
go  out  and  see  if  he  could  not  find  a  stag  to  store  the  larder. 
The  groom  went  down  to  the  cellar,  where  he  was  fortunate 
enough  to  find  a  cask  of  ale  ;  and  the  old  mother  withdrew  to  her 
own  apartments,  leaving  the  princess  alone  with  her  maid. 

The  wide  hall  was  dark  and  eerie,  and  full  of  strange  flickering 
shadows,  that  grew  more  mysterious  and  ghost-like  as  the  evening 
closed  in,  and  the  owls  might  be  heard  hooting  in  the  pine-trees 


KING  SAMSON.  119 


near.  Hildeswid  could  bear  it  no  longer.  She  sent  her  maid 
to  ask  the  old  woman  to  come  back  to  the  hall ;  but  she  did  not, 
nor  did  the  maid  return.  The  poor  child's  terror  was  so  great 
that  she  determined  to  go  in  search  of  her  mother-in-law. 

She  wandered  through  one  empty,  dreary,  dusty  room  after 
another,  till  at  last  she  entered  a  large  vaulted  chamber,  and 
there  she  saw  the  old  woman  crouching  over  a  great  chest  full  of 
gold  and  precious  stones,  muttering  to  herself.  Approaching  her, 
Hildeswid  heard  her  gloating  over  her  treasures,  and  saying  how 
much  they  would  be  increased  when  she  added  the  princess's 
ornaments  to  the  number,  which  could  so  easily  be  done  by 
strangling  the  girl.  Hildeswid  uttered  a  low  cry  of  terror,  and 
the  old  woman  looked  round.  Then,  with  a  shriek  of  "  thief, 
robber,  wretch  ! "  she  threw  herself  upon  the  unhappy  child,  and 
tried  to  throttle  her ;  but  at  that  moment  Samson  came  in  and 
stopped  her. 

"  Mother,"  he  said,  "  you  cannot  remain  here.  I  will  take  you 
and  your  treasure  to  my  other  house  on  the  edge  of  the  wood. 
There  you  can  live  in  peace." 

Meanwhile  King  Rodgeier  had  discovered  that  his  daughter  had 
been  carried  off.  He  sent  out  one  body  of  his  men-at-arms  after 
another  to  fetch  her  home  ;  but  they  all  failed,  and  he  prepared 
to  go  himself 

Riding  along  towards  Samson's  grange,  he  and  his  men  saw  a 
little  house  by  the  side  of  a  great  wood.  They  entered,  and  asked 
the  old  woman  they  met  in  the  house  to  tell  them  where  Samson 
lived.  She  denied  that  she  had  ever  heard  of  such  a  man  ;  but 
when  the  king  offered  her  a  handful  of  gold,  she  at  once  pointed 
out  the  path  that  led  to  his  grange,  and  even  went  a  bit  of  the 
way  to  see  that  they  made  no  mistake. 

The  king  and  his  fifteen  companions  had  not  gone  very  far 
when  they  met    the  hero.      His  helmet  and  armour  were  coal 


THE  A  ME  LUNGS. 


black,  like  his  beard  and  hair;  his  steed  was  also  black,  but  on 
his  shield  was  emblazoned  a  lion  on  a  golden  field.  There  was  a 
sharp,  short  fight  in  which  Samson  came  off  conqueror. 

When  the  battle  was  over,  he  set  out  for  his  mother's  house. 
On  entering  the  hall  he  found  her  there  busily  counting  the  gold 
the  king  had  given  her. 

"  Mother,"  he  said,  "  for  the  sake  of  that  gold  you  betrayed  your 
own  son,  and  you  richly  deserve  to  die ;  but  as  you  are  my 
mother,  I  cannot  punish  your  treachery." 

The  old  woman  went  on  counting  her  hoard  as  calmly  as  before. 

"  Mother,"  he  began  again,  "  you  betrayed  your  son  for  gold, 
and  you  should  die  by  my  dagger ;  but  you  are  my  mother,  and 
I  cannot  slay  you.  Now  listen  to  me;  take  your  gold  and  leave 
this  place,  lest  harm  befall  you." 

The  old  woman  poured  her  treasures  into  a  huge  sack,  and 
answered. — 

"  This  should  all  have  been  yours,  if  you  had  not  brought  that 
little  fool  into  the  house.  I  will  go,  and  take  my  wealth  to  the 
king." 

"I  have  slain  him  and  his  men,"  said  Samson  quietly;  but  he 
looked  so  stern  that  his  mother  changed  colour,  and  muttered, — 

"Very  well  then,  I  will  go  and  seek  an  heir  who  will  give  both 
me  and  my  treasures  house-room." 

Three  times  Samson's  hand  sought  sword  and  dagger,  but  he 
mastered  his  anger,  and  rode  away  through  the  dark  pine  forest 
to  his  home. 

When  he  got  there,  he  found  Hildeswid  hard  at  work  with  her 
maidens. 

"  Wife,"  he  said,  going  up  to  her,  "  my  mother  betrayed  me  for 
love  of  gold — my  sword  and  dagger  both  thirsted  for  her  blood — 
but  I  would  not,  could  not  slay  her.  If  you  are  false  to  me — then 
— they  tnust  do  their  work." 


KING  SAMSON.  12  r 


He  looked  terrible  in  his  wrath,  but  she  took  off  his  helmet  and 
coat  of  mail,  kissed  him  and  led  him  to  his  seat.  And  he  at  once 
grew  gentle,  and  told  her  that  he  wanted  to  win  glory  and  honour 
for  her  sake,  and  that  he  hoped  soon  to  see  her  acknowledged 
queen  of  her  father's  realm. 

When  the  death  of  Rodgeier  was  made  known  in  Salern  by  the 
only  one  of  his  men  who  had  escaped  to  tell  the  tale,  a  Thing  was 
summoned  in  order  that  a  new  ruler  might  be  chosen.  The  votes 
were  all  in  favour  of  Brunstein,  brother  of  the  late  king,  a  man  of 
great  wisdom  in  counsel,  and  a  lover  of  justice.  There  would  now 
have  been  peace  in  the  realm,  had  it  not  been  for  Samson,  who 
made  raids  into  the  land  and  carried  off  cattle  and  supplies.  So 
Brunstein  called  together  all  the  bravest  warriors  of  his  own 
and  other  lands,  and  made  them  lay  their  hands  in  his  and  swear 
to  take  Samson  alive  or  dead,  or  themselves  die  in  the  attempt. 
Then,  led  by  the  king,  they  set  out  and  rode  over  mountains  and 
plains  and  through  the  dark  forest,  and  all  without  finding  the 
object  of  their  search.  One  evening  they  reached  a  strong  for- 
tress, and  being  very  tired,  rested  there  for  the  night.  After 
supper  they  went  to  bed  and  slept.  Every  one  slept,  even  the 
guards,  when  they  had  carefully  locked  and  bolted  the  great 
gates. 

That  night  Samson  came.  Finding  he  could  not  break  the 
gates,  he  set  fire  to  them,  and  while  they  were  still  burning, 
pulled  them  down,  and  leaped  into  the  place.  The  watchmen 
awoke  and  blew  their  horns  ;  but  as  there  were  many  thatched 
roofs  within  the  walls,  all  of  which  caught  fire,  the  king  and 
his  men  naturally  thought  a  large  army  had  broken  in  upon 
them,  and  were  filled  with  terror.  The  gigantic  figure  of  Black 
Samson  appearing  now  here,  now  there,  amongst  the  flames, 
added  to  their  fear,  and  all  that  were  left  of  them  took  refuge 
in  flight. 


122  THE  A  ME  LUNGS. 


The  king,  followed  by  six  faithful  attendants,  made  his  way 
into  the  forest,  and  after  riding  a  long  time  came  in  sight 
of  a  goodly  grange.  He  entered,  and  found  that  the  mistress 
of  the  house  was  his  niece  Hildeswid.  He  asked  after  Samson. 
but  she  said  he  was  out.  He  then  begged  her  to  leave  her 
husband  and  go  with  him  ;  but  she  refused,  advising  him  to 
go  away  as  quickly  as  he  could,  lest  he  should  fall  into  his 
enemy's  hands. 

Brunstein  confessed  that  she  was  right,  and  took  his  de- 
parture, but  it  was  even  then  too  late.  Samson  had  returned, 
and,  seeing  them,  at  once  set  out  in  pursuit.  No  courage  or 
strength,  however  great,  could  avail  against  his  terrible  arni. 
Brunstein  and  five  of  his  warriors  fell  never  to  rise  again,  while 
the  sixth  got  away  with  great  difficulty  and  not  without  severe 
wounds.  Samson  started  in  pursuit.  When  he  got  out  of 
the  wood,  he  saw  thirty  horsemen  galloping  towards  him.  On 
their  banner,  a  lion  was  displayed  on  a  golden  field. 

"  So,  ho,"  cried  the  hero,  "  you  are  Amelungs.  Welcome, 
Uncle  Dietmar.     I  rejoice  to  see  you  and  your  men." 

When  they  had  rested  and  refreshed  themselves  in  Samson's 
grange,  Dietmar  explained,  that  having  heard  that  his  nephew 
was  outlawed  and  in  need  of  help,  he  had  come  to  visit  him 
and  see  whether  he  could  be  of  any  use.  Samson  was  much 
pleased,  and  announced  his  intention  of  taking  the  open  field 
now  that  he  was  no  longer  alone  in  the  world.  So  he  and 
his  companions  set  out  next  morning.  No  one  ventured  to 
oppose  him,  and  he  soon  had  so  large  a  district  under  his 
command  that  he  was  able  to  take  up  the  powers  and  dignity  of 
duke.  After  that  he  made  his  way  towards  Salem,  and  sent  on 
messengers  to  desire  the  citizens  to  elect  him  king,  under  pain 
of  having  their  town  and  possessions  burnt  about  their  ears. 

After   much    conferring    together,   the  burghers  came    to  the 


KING  SAMSON.  123 


conclusion  that  they  could  not  do  better  than  obey  ;  for  while 
Samson  had  been  their  friend,  their  town  had  been  more 
flourishing  than  at  any  other  time.  So  they  sent  to  beg  him 
to  come  and  rule  over  them. 

When  the  hero  found  that  all  was  going  as  he  wished,  he 
sent  for  his  wife,  and,  side  by  side,  they  rode  into  Salern,  where 
they  were  received  with  acclamation. 

The  new  ruler  governed  with  a  strong  hand,  and  administered 
justice  equally  to  all,  both  high  and  low.  He  showed  a  grateful 
remembrance  of  every  kindness  he  had  met  with  in  his  adversity, 
and  kept  peace  on  his  borders.  He  grew  old  in  the  punctual 
fulfilment  of  these  duties ;  and  when  he  felt  that  he  was  no 
longer  strong  enough  to  do  the  work  alone,  he  appointed  his 
eldest  son  to  be  his  assistant  and  successor.  But  he  did  not 
like  it  to  be  supposed  that  he  was  too  old  and  weak  to  be 
of  use ;  and  so  when  his  second  son  asked  him  what  share  he 
was  to  have  in  the  royal  heritage,  he  answered  him  nothing,  but 
called  together  the  whole  army  and  made  them  an  address. 

He  told  them  that  when  he  was  young  every  one  had  sought 
to  do  great  deeds,  but  now  people  had  grown  lazy.  The  long 
peace,  that  had  brought  material  blessing  on  the  realm,  had 
also  brought  the  curse  of  a  love  of  ease  and  pleasure ;  and  for 
fear  this  evil  should  increase,  and  the  country  become  an  easy 
prey  to  some  greedy  neighbour,  he  summoned  every  warrior 
to  appear  before  him  in  three  months'  time,  each  accompanied 
by  his  men,  and  bearing  a  courageous  heart  within  his  breast, 
for  he  was  going  to  lead  them  against  a  powerful  foe. 

The  same  day  that  Samson  made  this  announcement  to  his 
army,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  the  proud  yarl  Elsung  of  Bern 
(Verona),  a  man  of  about  his  own  age,  and  with  an  equal 
love  of  great  and  heroic  deeds.  In  this  letter  he  demanded 
that    Elsung    should    pay  him    tribute   as   his    liege    lord,    and 


124  THE  AMELUNGS. 


should  give  his  daughter,  Odilia,  to  his  second  son.  All  this 
he  demanded  as  a  right,  due  from  a  vassal  to  his  king. 

When  the  yarl  read  the  letter,  he  was  very  angry,  and  made 
immediate  preparations  for  war.  He  began  by  ordering  five 
of  Samson's  ambassadors  to  be  hung  on  the  spot,  and  the  sixth 
to  be  sent  back  to  his  master  with  his  tongue  cut  out. 

No  sooner  were  the  three  months  over  than  King  Samson 
started  for  Bern  at  the  head  of  his  men. 

The  armies  met,  and  there  was  a  great  battle.  The  slaughter 
on  either  side  was  hideous.  At  length  Samson's  wondrous 
strength  enabled  him  to  slay  the  yarl,  and  gain  the  victory. 
The  Bernese,  seeing  that  their  ruler  was  dead,  thought  it  most 
prudent  to  choose  Samson  for  their  king,  and  thus  put  an  end 
to  all  ill-feeling  between  the  two  nations. 

When  this  business  was  settled,  the  victor  sent  for  the  yarl's 
daughter,  Odilia,  and  told  her  that  he  intended  her  to  be  the 
wife  of  his  second  son,  to  whom  he  was  going  to  make  over 
her  father's  realm.  The  maiden  wept,  and  said  that  she  could 
not  marry  so  soon  after  her  father's  death  ;  but  Samson's  rage 
at  meeting  with  contradiction  was  so  terrible,  that  the  girl  in 
mortal  fear  consented  to  wed  the  prince.  His  berserker  wrath 
appeased  by  her  obedience,  the  king  at  once  regained  his  usual 
genial  manner,  kissed  her,  and  assured  her  of  his  protection. 

The  marriage  arranged,  Samson  set  out  on  his  return  to  his 
own  land,  accompanied  by  his  eldest  son.  Before  he  had  gone 
very  far,  he  felt  his  wounds  painful.  They  would  not  heal, 
and  caused  him  so  much  suffering  that  he  had  to  halt  at  a 
little  town  on  the  way,  and  there  he  died,  naming  his  youngest 
son  ruler  of  the  Rhineland,  with  Fritilaburg  as  his  residence. 


DIETWART. 


r?; 


UIKTWART    DJiKKNJUS    THK    PRINCESS. 


III.     DIETWART. 


THERE  was  once  an  emperor  of  Rome  (Romaburg)  called 
Dietwart.  His  name  was  known  far  and  wide  for  his 
great  deeds.  At  last,  wishing  to  marry,  he  sent  an  embassy 
to  King  Ladmer  of  Westenmer  to  ask  for  the  hand  of  his 
daughter.  Ladmer  professed  himself  highly  honoured  that  so 
great  an  emperor  should  wish  to  be  allied  with  his  house, 
and  begged  that  Dietwart  would  come  to  Westenmer  and  see 
the  princess ;  that  done,  the  two  young  people  might  make 
up     their     minds     whether    they    were    suited    to    each    other 


126  THE  AME LUNGS. 


Dietwart  consented,  and  after  a  stormy  passage  arrived  at 
his  destination,  accompanied  by  a  hundred  of  his  bravest 
warriors. 

Ladmer  received  his  guest  with  all  courtesy,  and  told  him 
how  glad  he  would  be  to  have  him  for  a  son-in-law,  but  that 
the  choice  of  a  husband  lay  with  the  princess  herself,  for  he 
would  never  constrain  his  daughter  to  marry  against  her  will. 

At  the  feast  given  in  his  honour,  Dietwart  dressed  himself 
like  his  men ;  but  the  princess,  whose  duty  it  was  to  offer 
wine  to  her  father's  guests,  soon  saw  which  was  which,  and 
filled  his  goblet  first.  That  evening  her  father  asked  her  what 
she  thought  of  the  stranger,  and  she  replied, — 

"He  seems  to  be  a  great  prince,  but  I  do  not  know  his 
ways ;  and  until  I  know  that  they  are  pleasant  in  my  eyes,  I 
will  not  marry  him,  as  I  might  be  very  unhappy  far  away 
from  all  I   love,  in  a  foreign  land." 

Her  father  kissed  her,  and  told  her  she  must  do  as  she 
pleased,  but  in  his  heart  of  hearts  he  hoped  she  would  say 
"  yes." 

A  great  hunt  was  arranged  for  the  following  day,  the  object 
of  which  was  the  destruction  of  a  number  of  stags,  for  they 
had  grown  so  numerous  that  they  had  done  a  great  deal  of 
mischief  in  the  neighbourhood. 

Now  it  happened  that  Princess  Minnie  was  a  mighty  huntress, 
so  she  begged  her  father  to  let  her  join  him  on  that  day  also, 
for  she  loved  the  sport,  and,  as  he  knew,  her  arrow  could  reach 
its  goal  as  surely  as  that  of  any  man.  Dietwart  did  not  much 
relish  seeing  her  so  employed.  He  thought  it  was  not  maid- 
enly, and  confided  to  his  friends  that  he  would  rather  seek 
a  wife  among  the  daughters  of  the  great  princes  at  home, 
than  wed  such  a  hoyden  as  the  Lady  Minnie.  But  however 
that    might  be,  it   was    his    duty,   and    theirs,    as    men,  to    see 


DIETWART.  127 

that  the  giddy  girl  got  into  no  danger  through  her  foolhardi- 
ness. 

As  they  were  going  down  a  narrow  glen,  Minnie  wounded  a 
splendid  stag,  and  the  dogs  set  out  in  pursuit ;  while  the  prin- 
cess, drawing  another  arrow  from  her  quiver,  hastened  after 
them.  Suddenly  the  dogs  set  up  a  simultaneous  howl,  and 
rushed  out  of  the  thicket.  The  ladies  of  the  court  shrieked 
aloud.  "  The  worm,"  they  cried,  "  the  Hnd-worm  !  Come  back, 
Lady  Minnie,  come  back  !  "  and  at  the  same  moment,  turning 
quickly,  they  fled  across  the  valley,  and  took  refuge  on  the 
top    of  a    neighbouring   hill. 

A  frightful  hissing,  cracking  and  trampling  was  heard,  and 
the  dragon  crept  out  of  the  thicket,  its  jaws  wide  open,  ready 
to  seize  its  prey.  It  was  a  sight  to  make  the  bravest  man 
tremble.  Princess  Minnie  shot  three  arrows,  one  after  the  other, 
straight  at  the  monster ;  but  they  glanced  harmless  off  its 
horny  scales.  She  turned  to  fly,  but  her  foot  caught  in  a 
branch,  and  she  fell  to  the  ground.  She  seemed  lost,  for  the 
dragon  was  making  ready  to  spring  upon  her.  Dietwart  and 
his  men  were  close  at  hand.  The  latter  threw  themselves  on 
the  worm  ;  while  the  former  took  his  stand  before  the  girl  to 
defend  her.     It  was  a  horrible  sight. 

Lances,  swords,  arrows  were  no  defence.  They  could  not 
pierce  the  monster's  scales,  and  one  brave  man  after  another 
was  caught  in  its  claws,  or  was  torn  by  its  terrible  teeth, 
which  in  shape  resembled  the  anchors  of  a  ship.  Dietwart 
rushed  to  the  assistance  of  his  friends.  He  struck  at  the  lind- 
worm's  neck  with  his  lance,  but  the  point  slipped  from  the 
scales,  and  the  dragon  tore  his  breast  with  its  claws.  It 
opened  its  great  jaws  as  wide  as  it  could,  to  seize  and  devour 
him ;  but  the  hero  thrust  the  shaft  of  his  spear  into  its 
gigantic  mouth,  and  worked  it  round  and  round  with  such  force 


128  THE  AM E LUNGS. 


that  the  point  came  out  at  the  other  side.  A  stream  of  poi- 
son, and  flames  of  fire  issued  from  the  creature's  nostrils,  and 
the  hero  fell  fainting  to  the  ground,  the  dying  monster  on  the 
top  of  him. 

Dietwart  was  roused  from  his  insensibility  by  feeling  him- 
self violently  shaken.  When  he  opened  his  eyes,  he  saw  the 
princess  struggling  to  free  him  from  the  dragon's  body.  Some 
woodmen  came  up  and  helped  her.  When  at  last  he  rose  to 
his  feet,  he  was  so  weak  that  he  could  not  stand ;  and  the 
men  made  a  litter  of  wattled  boughs,  on  which  they  carried  him 
to  the  palace.  The  wound  on  his  chest  was  carefully  bound 
up,  and  no  one  thought  much  of  it,  because  the  flesh  alone 
had  been  torn ;  but  it  festered  badly,  and  the  edges  turned 
black,  as  though  they  had  been  burnt.  The  doctors  declared 
that  some  of  the  dragon's  poisonous  breath  had  touched  it,  and 
they  feared  for  the  hero's  life.  The  king,  the  court,  nay  the 
whole  country,  mourned  for  the  man  who  had  rid  them  of  the 
monster. 

One  morning,  as  Dietwart  lay  sunk  in  a  feverish  doze  after 
the  intense  pain  of  the  night,  he  felt  a  hand  busied  about  his 
wound.  Strange  to  say,  the  hand  felt  both  softer  and  gentler 
than  that  of  the  doctor.  He  opened  his  eyes,  and  recognised 
the  princess.  He  watched  her  carefully  remove  the  bandages, 
and  drop  some  liquid  from  a  bottle  into  his  burning  wound. 
The  pain  at  once  left  him.  He  would  have  thanked  her,  but 
she  signed  to  him  to  be  silent.  After  she  had  replaced  the 
bandages,  and  motioned  to  the  nurses  to  be  still,  she  went 
away  as  gently  as  she  had  come.  The  wounded  man  felt  as 
free  from  pain  as  if  an  angel  had  brought  him  some  of  the 
water  of  life.  He  fell  into  a  quiet  slumber.  At  night  the  pain 
returned,  but  the  next  morning  Minnie  came  back,  and  poured 
balm  into  his  wound.     On  the   third   morning  she   came  again. 


DIETWART.  129 


He  felt  so  much  stronger,  that  he  could  not  refrain  from  seizing 
her  hand  and  pressing  it  to  his  lips.  She  withdrew  it  gently, 
and  went  away  signing  to  him  once  more  to  hold  his  peace. 

The  doctor  rejoiced  at  the  rapid  recovery  of  his  patient. 
When  told  what  had  happened,  he  said  that  the  royal  maid 
had  received  the  miraculous  balm  from  her  mother  on  her 
death-bed,  and  that  she  was  forbidden  to  use  it  except  in  cases 
of  great  necessity,  and  for  those  she  loved. 

"  For  those  she  loved  ? "  repeated  the  hero ;  and  he  felt 
strangely  happy. 

When  he  was  well  again,  he  one  day  met  her  alone  in 
the  garden,  and  told  her  of  his  love.  They  talked  together 
for  a  long  time;  and  when  good  King  Ladmer  heard  of  their 
engagement,  he  gave  them  his  blessing.  The  marriage  feast 
was  soon  afterwards  held,  and  there,  in  the  middle  of  the  table, 
as  one  of  its  greatest  ornaments,  was  one  of  the  dragon's  teeth 
set  in  silver — a  nice  little  tooth  it  was,  weighing  at  least  half 
a  hundred  weight. 

The  husband  and  wife  set  out  for  Rome.  The  winds  and 
waves  favoured  them,  and  they  soon  reached  Dietwart's  native 
land.  The  legend  informs  us  that  they  lived  very  happily 
together  for  four  hundred  years,  and  had  forty-four  children,  oi 
whom  one  son,  Sigeher,  alone  survived  them.  But  it  does  not 
tell  us  whether  the  Lady  Minnie  took  kindly  to  her  household 
duties,  or  always  remained  fonder  of  field  sports  than  of  needle- 
work. 


DIETRICH   OF  BERN. 


I.    DIETRICH    AND    HILDEBRAND. 


T~\IETMAR,  second  son  of  Hugdieterich,  ruled  with  a  strong 
^~^  hand  at  Bern,  and  refused  to  acknowledge  his  elder 
brother  Ermenrich,  or  any  other  king  as  his  suzerain.  He  was 
a  mighty  warrior,  and  so  terrible  in  battle  that  few  of  his 
enemies  dared  look  him  in  the  face.  But  at  home  he  was 
gentle  to  all,  especially  to  his  wife  Odilia,  daughter  of  Elsung, 
or,  according  to  another  saga,  daughter  of  a  Danish  king.  His 
eldest  son,  Dietrich,  was  the  joy  of  his  heart.  At  twelve  years 
old  the  lad  had  the  strength  of  a  mighty  warrior.  His  fair  hair 
fell  over  his  shoulders  in  heavy  curls.  His  figure  was  tall  and 
slender,  yet  strong  and  well-knit.  He  had  regular  features,  but 
when  he  was  angry,  he  was  terrible  to  look  upon.  From  his 
earliest  childhood  any  one  might  see  that  he  would  become  a 
lion-hearted  hero.  It  was  even  said  that  his  breath  was  like 
glowing  fire  when  he  was  angry,  and  this  the  people  thought 
an  undoubted  proof  that  he  was  descended  from  a  demon 
ancestor. 

When  Dietrich  was  five  years  old,  a  famous  hero  came  to  his 
fathers  court  This  was  Hildebrand,  son  of  Herbrand,  and 
grandson     of    the     faithful     Berchtung.        As    we    said    before, 


DIETRICH  AND  HILDEBRAND.  13'! 


Herbrand's  fief  consisted  of  the  district  and  castle  of  Garden. 
He  had  brought  up  his  son  in  the  traditional  way,  so  that  he 
grew  up  to  be  a  perfect  warrior,  and  a  wise  man.  King  Dietmar 
was  so  pleased  with  his  guest  that  he  appointed  him  to  be  his 
son's  teacher  and  governor.  This  was  the  beginning  of  a  friend- 
ship between  master  and  pupil  that  lasted  till  death  parted 
them. 

The  Sword  Nagelring. 

Now  It  came  to  pass  that  a  giant  and  giantess  invaded 
Dietmar's  land  ;  and  slew,  burnt,  and  plundered  the  people. 
They  were  so  strong  that  no  one  could  resist  them.  The  king 
went  against  them  at  the  head  of  an  army ;  but  could  not 
find  them.  He  saw  everywhere  on  his  borders  the  desolation 
they  had  caused ;  but  none  could  tell  him  where  they  were  con- 
cealed. At  this  ill-success  young  Dietrich  and  his  master  were 
as  much  distressed  as  the  king  himself.  They  determined  to 
search  for  the  giants  till  they  found  them,  though  the  search 
should  cost  them  years. 

They  wandered  over  mountains  and  valleys  seeking  the 
monsters,  but  seeing  nothing  of  them.  One  day  they  set  out  to 
hunt  with  their  hawks  and  hounds,  and  came  to  a  great  forest, 
in  the  middle  of  which  was  a  green  meadow,  where  they 
thought  they  should  find  plenty  of  game.  They  uncoupled  the 
hounds,  and  rode,  one  to  the  left  and  the  other  to  the  right 
of  the  meadow,  holding  their  weapons  in  readiness.  As  Dietrich 
slowly  advanced,  keeping  a  sharp  look  out,  a  dwarf  crossed  his 
path.  Stooping  from  his  horse,  he  caught  up  the  mannikin 
and  placed  him  in  front  of  him.  The  little  prisoner  made  so 
loud  a  moan,  that  Hildebrand  heard  him,  and  galloped  across 
the  meadow  to  see  what  was  the  matter.  Catching  sight  of 
the  dwarf, — 


f32  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

"  Hillo  !  "  he  cried.  "  Hold  the  rascal  tight.  He  knows  all 
roads,  both  on,  and  under  the  earth.  He  is  Elbegast,  the 
prince  of  thieves,  and  is  certain  to  be  a  friend  of  the  robbers." 

The  dwarf  shrieked  louder  than  before,  and  declared  that  far 
from  being  their  friend,  he  had  suffered  much  wrong  at  the  hands 
of  the  giant  Grim  and  his  sister  Hilde,  that  he  had  even  been 
obliged  to  forge  for  them  the  good  sword  Nagelring,  and  the 
strong  helmet  Hildegrim,  and  had  been  forced  to  lead  them  to 
their  victims  by  hidden  ways  known  only  to  himself.  He  swore 
to  help  the  warriors  if  they  wished  to  fight  the  unholy  pair. 

The  mannikin  was  therefore  set  at  liberty.  He  drew  a  long 
breath,  and  said : 

"  You  could  not  catch  me  now,  if  I  wished  to  escape  you ; 
but  I  will  serve  you  faithfully,  that  I  may  be  freed  from  the 
power  of  the  giants.  Come  back  to  this  place  at  day-break 
to-morrow,  and  I  will  give  you  the  sword  Nagelring,  without 
which  you  cannot  conquer  the  monster.  I  shall  steal  it  from 
him  as  truly  as  I  am  Elbegast,  the  prince  of  thieves.  Then  I 
will  show  you  his  foot-marks  in  the  dewy  grass,  that  you  may 
track  him  to  his  hollow  mountain,  where,  if  you  slay  him  and 
his  wicked  sister,  you  will  find  rich  booty  to  reward   you." 

The  dwarf  had  no  sooner  uttered  these  words  than  he  vanished. 
The  next  morning,  before  daylight,  the  prince  and  his  companion 
came  to  the  edge  of  the  green  meadow  talking  of  this  and 
that.  They  agreed  that  the  word  of  a  mountain  goblin  was 
not  to  be  trusted,  and  that  thievish  Elbegast  would  probably 
be  false  like  all  his  kindred.  Their  conversation  was  interrupted 
by  a  strange  clanking  sound,  and  at  the  same  moment  they 
noticed  the  rosy  dawn  overspreading  the  sky.  They  started  to 
their  feet,  and  looked  about.  Elbegast  came  up  to  them  drag- 
ging a  huge  sword.  Dietrich  seized  it  with  a  cry  of  joy,  un- 
sheathed it  and  swung  it  in  the  air. 


DIETRICH  AND  HILDEBRAND.  133 

"  Now,"  cried  Elbegast,  "  you  have  the  strength  of  twelve 
men,  and  can  fight  the  monster  on  equal  terms.  Look  carefully 
and  you  will  see  the  marks  of  his  shoes  distinctly  printed  on 
the  dewy  grass.  I  had  to  make  his  shoes  of  iron  for  he  is 
miserly,  and  said  that  leather  was  too  dear.  Follow  the  tracks, 
and  they  will  lead  you  to  the  entrance  of  his  cave.  I  can  go 
with  you  no  farther." 

He  vanished,  and  the  heroes  followed  the  giant's  tracks  in 
obedience  to  the  dwarf's  advice. 

At  length  they  reached  a  great  cliff,  but  there  was  no  open- 
ing to  be  seen  large  enough  to  serve  as  a  door.  A  few  cracks 
might  be  noticed  here  and  there  in  the  stone,  so  small  that  only 
a  dwarf  or  a  lizard  could  have  crept  in ;  certainly  not  a  man  in 
armour,  and  still  less  a  giant.  Hildebrand  thought  that  a  bit 
of  the  rock  might  perhaps  be  fitted  into  the  cliff  instead  of  a 
door.  He  tried  to  shake  and  loosen  any  projecting  piece  of  the 
cliff  that  he  could  clutch.  His  efforts  were  not  in  vain.  An 
enormous  block  of  stone  stirred  and  rocked  beneath  his  hands, 
and  just  as  Dietrich  came  to  his  assistance,  it  fell  thundering 
into  the  valley  below.  The  sunlight  penetrated  the  darkness  of 
a  deep  cavern,  in  the  background  of  which  a  great  fire  was 
burning.  Grim  was  lying  on  a  bed  of  bear  and  wolf  skins 
close  to  the  flames.  Wakened  by  the  falling  rock,  he  raised 
himself  on  his  elbow,  and  perceiving  the  warriors'  approach, 
looked  about  for  his  sword ;  not  finding  it,  he  snatched  up  a 
burning  log,  and  rushed  upon  Dietrich.  His  blows  sounded 
like  claps  of  thunder,  and  fell  as  thick  as  hail ;  it  was  only 
the  young  warrior's  nimbleness  that  saved  his  life,  which  was 
endangered  not  only  by  the  force  of  the  blows,  but  by  the 
smoke  and  the  burning  sparks  that  flew  from  the  log.  Hilde- 
brand would  have  gone  to  his  pupil's  assistance  had  not  the  latter 
forbidden    him.      And   indeed  he  soon    had    enough    to   do  to 


134  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

defend  himself,  for  the  giantess  now  appeared,  and  catching 
Hildebrand  up  in  her  arms,  held  him  tight.  It  was  a  deadly 
embrace.  The  warrior  could  not  breathe.  He  struggled  in  vain 
to  free  himself  from  the  sinewy  arms  that  held  him.  At  last 
the  giantess  threw  him  on  his  back,  pressing  his  hands  and 
arms  as  though  in  a  vice,  and  making  the  blood  spirt  from 
under  his  nails.  She  looked  about  for  a  rope  with  which  to 
bind  and  hang  him.  Hildebrand  called  to  his  companion  to 
help  him  in  his  need.  Dietrich  seeing  his  friend's  danger  leaped 
over  the  giant's  weapon  with  a  despairing  spring,  and  at  the 
same  time  seizing  his  sword  in  both  hands,  split  the  monster's 
head  from  the  crown  to  the  collar-bone.  Then  turning  upon 
the  giantess,  he  slew  her  after  a  short  but  sharp  engagement. 

Hildebrand  now  staggered  to  his  feet,  and  said  that  from 
henceforth  he  would  regard  his  former  pupil  as  his  master,  be^ 
cause  that  woman  had  been  harder  to  deal  with  than  any  foe 
he  had  ever  met  before.  Dietrich  and  Hildebrand  took  the 
treasure  they  found  hidden  away  in  a  side  cave,  as  their  meed 
of  victory,  and    brought  it   home  to  Bern. 

King  Dietmar  rejoiced  in  the  glory  of  his  heroic  son, 
whose  name  had  become  famous  in  every  land ;  but  he  did 
not  live  long  after  these  events.  He  died  loved  and  honoured 
by  all.  When  Dietrich  ascended  the  throne,  he  gave  his  young 
brother  Diether  into  Hildebrand's  charge,  begging  his  friend  to 
teach  the  boy  to  be  a  hero  and  a  worthy  scion  of  his  noble 
race. 

And  Hildebrand  did  his  best,  with  the  help  of  his  wife,  the 
good  high-souled  Ute  (Uote),  whom  he  married  soon  after.  To- 
gether they  taught  the  boy  to  love  what  was  good  and  true, 
to  be  brave,  and  to  be  not  only  an  admirer  but  a  doer  of  high 
deeds. 


DIETRICH  AND  HILDEBRAND. 


135 


SiGENOT. 

Soon  after  Grim  and  Hilde  had  fallen  under  Dietrich's  sword, 
their  nephew,  strong  Sigenot,  a  giant  who  lived  in  the  Western 
Mountains,  came  down  into  the  forest  to  visit  his  relations. 
When  he  discovered  their  dead  bodies  in  the  cave,  he  howled 
with  rage  and  swore  to  avenge  their  death.  A  dwarf  for  whom 
he  called  told  him  of  the  fight  between  his  uncle  and  aunt  and 
the  heroes,  but  Sigenot  would  not  believe  the  story.  He  thought 
that  Grim  and  Hilde  had  been  murdered  in  their  sleep  by 
Dietrich  and  his  comrade  for  the  sake  of  their  hoard. 

Years  passed  on.  One  evening  the  heroes  were  seated  to- 
gether in  the  great  hall  of  the  palace,  drinking  their  wine  and 
talking. 

"  Master,"  said  King  Dietrich,  "  I  never  saw  a  living  wife 
embrace  her  husband  so  passionately  as  Hilde  did  you  that 
day  in  the  cave.  I  think  the  Lady  Ute  would  be  angry  if  she 
heard  how  the  giantess  hugged  you." 

"What  a  monster  she  was,"  answered  Hildebrand  with  a 
shudder,  "  and  you  freed  me  from  her  clutches." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  king,  laughing,  "  it  showed  my  generosity. 
I  returned  you  good  for  evil  that  time,  for  you  know  I  might 
have  remembered  how  many  thrashings  and  floggings  you  had 
given  me  when  a  boy.     Now,  confess,  was  I  not  generous  ?  " 

"  I  am  quite  willing  to  do  so,"  replied  Hildebrand  with  a 
smile,  and  then  added  gravely ;  "  but  do  not  pride  yourself  too 
much  on  the  past,  for  the  giant  Sigenot  has  long  been  watch- 
ing for  us  in  the  mountains,  that  he  may  fall  upon  us  and 
avenge  his  uncle  Grim's  death.  From  what  I  hoar,  he  is  so 
strong  that  no  mortal  man  can  withstand  him,  and  even  an 
army  would  fall  before  him  like  corn  under  the  sickle." 

"  Hey  !  what  new  story  is  this  ? "  cried  the  king.     "  So  Grim's 


136  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

avenger  is  lying  in  wait  in  the  mountains?  Wliy  did  no  one 
tell  me  before?  I  will  start  to-morrow  in  search  of  him,  and 
free  my  realm  from  the  monster." 

"  What ! "  cried  one  of  the  guests. 

"  Are  you  going  to  attack  the  giant  ? "  asked  another. 

"  The  murderous  Sigenot ! "  added  a  third. 

"  Listen  to  me,  Dietrich,  my  pupil,"  said  Hildebrand  solemnly, 
"he  is  not  heroic,  but  foolhardy,  who  undertakes  to  do  the 
impossible,  and  it  is  impossible  to  conquer  that  giant." 

"  Listen,  dear  master,"  answered  Dietrich ;  "  do  you  remember 
how  you  taught  me  that  he  is  a  hero  who  undertakes  what  is 
apparently  impossible,  because  he  trusts  in  his  strength,  and  in 
the  justice  of  his  cause  ?  He  is  a  hero,  whether  he  gains  the 
crown  of  victory  or  meets  with  death.  My  cause  is  just,  be- 
cause I  go  forth  to  free  my  realm  and  my  people  from  the 
power  of  the  monster." 

**  Sire,"  cried  Hildebrand,  "  you  are  no  longer  my  pupil,  but 
my  comrade,  and  as  your  comrade  I  will  accompany  you  to  the 
great  battle." 

The  king  answered  after  a  short  pause,  "  My  master  used  to 
say,  *  One  against  one  is  the  way  of  true  warriors ;  two  against 
one  is  the  way  of  cowards' — so  I  must  go  alone." 

"  If  you  do  not  return  in  eight  days,"  returned  the  master,  "  I 
will  follow  you,  and  be  your  liberator,  or  your  avenger,  or  your 
companion  in  death." 

"Why  make  so  much  ado?"  cried  Wolf  hart ;  "the  king  will 
strike  old  Long-legs  dead,  or  else  uncle  Hildebrand  will  do  it,  and 
if  they  both  should  fail,  I  will  follow  them,  and  I  wager  my  head 
that  I  will  lead  him  like  a  captive  bear  by  a  rope  to  the  castle 
here,  and  then  hang  him  over  the  battlements,  where  he  may 
stay  till  his  gossips  in  hell  come  to  fetch  him  home." 

Dietrich  then  set  out  on  his  journey.     On  the  evening  of  the 


DIETRICH  CHASING   THE   ELK. 


13» 


DIETRICH  AND  HILDEBRAND.  139 

third  day  he  came  in  sight  of  the  Mountains.  He  felt  so  cheery 
and  so  strong  that  he  would  not  have  feared  to  offer  battle  to 
all  the  giants  in  the  world.  As  he  was  lying  on  the  grass,  sunk 
in  happy  reverie,  he  saw  a  stately  elk,  sprang  on  his  horse,  and 
followed  it  until  he  came  up  with  it,  when  drawing  his  sword  he 
stabbed  it  in  the  neck,  so  that  it  fell  dead.  He  lighted  a  fire, 
roasted  a  bit  of  the  elk  for  his  supper,  and  ate  it,  washing  it  down 
with  some  cups  of  wine  he  drew  from  the  skin  at  his  saddle  bow. 

A  cry  of  agony  disturbed  him  in  the  midst  of  his  enjoyment. 
He  looked  up,  and  saw  a  naked  giant  covered  from  head  to  foot 
with  bristly  hair,  who  was  holding  a  dwarf  firmly  bound  to  the 
end  of  his  iron  club.  The  mannikin  shrieked  to  the  warrior  for 
help,  affirming  that  the  monster  was  about  to  eat  him  alive. 
Dietrich  at  once  advanced  towards  the  wild  man,  and  offered  him 
a  fair  exchange.  He  said  he  might  have  the  elk  instead  of  the 
dwarf,  and  that  he  would  find  it  a  larger  and  juicier  mouthful. 

"  Get  out  of  the  way,  you  dog,"  bellowed  the  giant.  "  Get  out 
of  the  way,  or  I  will  roast  you  at  your  own  fire,  and  eat  you  up, 
armour  and  all." 

The  hero's  anger  was  stirred  at  this  address,  and  he  drew 
Nagelring  from  its  sheath,  while  the  giant  swept  the  dwarf  from 
off  his  club  as  easily  as  a  snowflake.  Then  the  battle  began, 
and  raged  until  both  combatants  were  so  weary  that  they  had 
to  rest  awhile.  The  king  again  offered  to  make  peace  with  the 
monster,  because  he  had  come  out  to  fight  with  the  master  and 
not  with  the  servant.  A  shout  of  scornful  laughter  was  the 
answer  he  received,  and  then  the  giant  cried  in  a  mighty  voice 
that  made  the  trees  tremble  to  their  roots,  "  Do  you  think  that 
a  little  smidget  like  you  could  conquer  Sigenot  ">  He  would  bind 
you  to  a  stake  as  easily  as  I  should  that  dwarf,  and  would  leave 
you  to  die  in  agony." 

And  now  the  fray  was  renewed.     The  dwarf,  who  had   freed 


146  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

himself  from  his  bonds,  kept  well  behind  Dietrich,  and  advised 
him  what  to  do. 

"  Hit  him  over  the  ear  with  the  hilt  of  your  sword,  the  blade 
is  of  no  use  with  him." 

Dietrich  did  as  he  was  advised,  and  the  monster  fell  with  a 
crash  beneath  his  blow.  The  sword-hilt  had  penetrated  deep  into 
his  skull ;  a  second  and  a  third  blow  put  an  end  to  him. 

"  Now  quick,  let  us  away,"  cried  the  dwarf,  "  before  Sigenot, 
king  of  the  Mountains,  comes  down  upon  us.  Should  he  find 
us  here,  we  are  lost." 

Proud  of  his  victory,  Dietrich  explained  the  object  of  his  quest. 

"  Noble  hero,"  said  the  mannikin,  "  you  cannot  escape  your  fate. 
If  by  a  miracle  you  are  victorious,  we  poor  dwarfs  will  be  freed 
from  an  intolerable  tyranny,  in  gratitude  for  which  boon  we  will 
be  your  faithful  friends  as  long  as  you  live.  Our  father,  Alberich, 
left  the  rule  over  thousands  of  our  people  in  equal  portions  to  me, 
his  eldest  son,  Waldung,  and  to  Egerich,  his  younger  son.  But 
in  spite  of  our  caps  of  darkness,  and  all  our  magic  arts,  Sigenot 
has  enslaved  us,  and  holds  us  now  in  such  vile  bondage  that  many 
die  of  hardships,  and  many  more  are  devoured  by  him." 

"  Well,"  said  Dietrich,  "  show  your  gratitude  by  pointing  out 
the  way  to  Sigenot." 

The  dwarf  showed  the  hero  the  snow-topped  mountain  where 
his  enemy  lived,  drew  the  cap  of  darkness  over  his  head,  and 
disappeared. 

Dietrich  set  out,  and  about  mid-day  arrived  at  the  regions  of 
ice  and  snow.  Long  grey  moss  hung  pendant  from  the  branches 
of  the  pines,  and  covered  the  stems  to  the  root.  A  thick  mist 
suddenly  rose,  and  hid  the  mountain.  All  at  once  the  mist 
parted  like  a  curtain,  and  Dietrich  saw  a  beautiful  woman  in 
snow-white  garments,  a  diadem  of  precious  stones  on  her  head, 
and  round  her  throat  a  necklace  that  shone  like  the  stars.     She 


DIETRICH  AND  HILDEBRAND.  141 

raised  her  finger  warningly,  and  said,  "  Ride  back,  hero  of  Bern, 
or  you  are  lost.      The   destroyer   is  lying   in  ambush  for  you." 

She  glided  past  with  inaudible  steps,  and  vanished  among  the 
glaciers,  leaving  Dietrich  lost  in  astonishment,  and  wondering 
whether  it  were  the  goddess  Freya,  or  the  elf-queen  Virginal  that 
he  had  seen. 

He  was  startled  out  of  his  reverie  by  a  shout,  and  at  the  same 
moment  perceived  the  gigantic  warrior  hastening  to  meet  him. 

"  So  you  have  come  at  last,"  he  cried,  "  to  give  me  an  oppor- 
tunity of  revenging  the  murder  of  Grim  and  Hilde." 

They  began  to  fight  without  more  ado.  As  Dietrich  tried  to 
make  use  of  what  he  thought  a  favourable  chance,  the  blade  of 
his  sword  Nagelring  was  caught  in  an  overhanging  bough.  All 
his  efforts  to  withdraw  it  were  in  vain.  At  last  the  steel  broke, 
and  at  the  same  moment  a  blow  of  the  giant's  club  stretched  the 
hero  senseless  on  the  ground.  His  helmet  was  unhurt,  but  the 
blow  had  been  so  heavy  that  it  left  him  unconscious.  The  giant 
now  fell  upon  him,  kneaded  his  defenceless  body  both  with  his 
hands  and  his  knees,  and  then  dragged  him  away  into  his 
dismal  den. 

Master  Hildebrand  waited  for  eight  days  with  great  impatience ; 
then,  finding  that  the  king  did  not  return,  he  took  leave  of  his 
wife,  and  set  forth  in  search  of  him. 

In  the  wood  near  the  snow-capped  mountain  Hildebrand  found 
the  kino-'s  horse,  and  further  on  the  broken  sword.  He  could  no 
longer  doubt  what  his  friend's  fate  had  been.  Vengeance,  not 
deliverance,  was  now  alone  what  he  hoped  for,  and  he  rode  on 
unheeding  the  warning  that  the  little  dwarf  Waldung  called  after 

him. 

On  perceiving  the  new  comer  the  giant  rushed  upon  him.  The 
battle  between  them  was  long  and  fierce,  and  Sigenot  disdained 
no  weapon  of  defence.     He  tore  up  bushes  and  ever  trees,  and 


142  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

threw  them  at  the  hero.  When  Hildebrand  at  last  tried  to  defend 
himself  by  a  ruse,  the  club  came  down  upon  his  head,  and  struck 
him  senseless  to  the  ground.  "Come  on,  long  beard,"  shouted 
Sigenot,  "  Hilda  and  Grim  are  avenged  at  last." 

So  saying,  he  bound  the  fallen  warrior  hand  and  foot,  and 
seizing  him  by  the  head,  flung  him  over  his  shoulder,  and  bore 
him  to  his  cave,  singing  loudly  the  while. 

The  giant's  dwelling  was  large  and  lofty.  The  roof  was  sup- 
ported by  stone  pillars,  and  a  carbuncle  in  the  centre  shed  a 
pleasant  light  over  the  foreground,  while  the  back  of  the  cavern 
was  dark  and  gloomy  in  the  extreme.  On  entering,  the  giant 
threw  down  his  burden  with  such  force  that  Hildebrand  thought 
every  bone  in  his  body  was  broken.  Sigenot  then  went  to  a  side 
cave  to  fetch  an  iron  chain  with  which  to  bind  his  prisoner,  saying 
that  he  would  not  be  long  away. 

When  a  weak  man  is  in  sore  straits,  he  at  once  gives  himself 
up  for  lost.  Not  so  the  hero.  He  never  abandons  hope  until  he 
has  tried  every  mode  of  rescue,  however  poor.  It  was  thus  with 
Hildebrand.  Looking  round  him,  he  perceived  his  good  sword, 
which  the  giant  had  seized  as  rightful  booty,  lying  in  a  distant 
corner,  and  he  thought  that  he  might  yet  fight  and  gain  the 
victory,  if  he  could  only  cut  the  cords  that  bound  his  wrists.  He 
was  fastened  to  a  square  pillar  with  sharp  corners.  He  sawed 
the  cords  on  his  wrists  against  the  pillar,  and  cut  them  through. 
No  sooner  were  his  hands  free,  than  he  undid  the  ropes  and  cords 
about  his  feet,  and  snatching  up  his  sword,  hid  behind  the  pillar, 
which  he  intended  to  use  as  a  protection,  his  shield  having  been 
left  in  the  wood. 

Sigenot  returned  with  the  chains,  and  looked  about  in  astonish- 
ment. His  prisoner  was  gone.  Suddenly  he  caught  sight  of  him 
behind  a  pillar,  and  the  battle  raged  anew.  The  ground  trembled 
beneath  the  giant's  tread,  and  the  rocks  re-echoed  the  sound  of 


DIETRICH  AND  HILDEBRAND.  i4j 

blows.  The  combatants  were  now  fighting  in  the  dark  background 
of  the  cave,  led  there  by  the  gradual  retreat  of  Hildebrand,  when 
suddenly  the  hero  heard  his  name  called  from  the  depths  beyond. 
He  recognised  the  king's  voice,  and  the  knowledge  that  his  friend 
yet  lived  gave  added  strength  to  his  arm.  A  few  minutes  more, 
and  the  giant  was  stretched  at  his  feet. 

The  victory  was  won.  He  cut  off  the  monster's  head,  and 
whilst  resting  for  a  moment  after  his  exertion,  he  heard  Diet- 
rich's voice  exclaiming  : 

"  Hildebrand,  dear  master,  help  me  out  of  the  serpent's  hole. 
There  are  still  some  adders  here,  alive,  though  I  have  slain  and 
eaten  many  more." 

Finding  that  the  king  was  confined  in  a  deep  hole,  Hilde- 
brand looked  round  for  a  rope  or  a  ladder,  with  which  to  help 
him  out.  Whilst  engaged  in  this  search,  he  was  joined  by  the 
dwarf  Waldung,  who  gave  him  a  ladder  of  ropes,  by  means  of 
which  the  king  was   restored  to  the  light  of  day. 

"  Hildebrand,"  said  Dietrich,  taking  a  long  breath  of  the  fresh 
pure  air,  "  you  are  not  my  comrade,  but  my  master." 

After  this,  the  heroes  followed  the  dwarf  into  his  subterranean 
kino-dom,  where  he  provided  them  with  food  and  drink,  and 
offered  them  costly  treasures.  The  noblest  gift  that  Dietrich 
accepted  was  his  sword  Nagelring  mended,  hardened,  and  newly 
adorned  with  gold  and  precious  stones,  so  that  it  was  more 
beautiful  as  well  as  stronger  than  before. 

The  heroes  now  returned  to  Bern,  where  they  were  received 
with  great  joy. 

Queen  Virginal. 

Once  when  Dietrich  and  Hildebrand  were  hunting  in  the  wild 
mountains  of  Tyrol,  the  king  confessed  that  he  had  never  been 


144  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

able  to  forget  Queen  Virginal,  who  had  come  out  to  warn  him 
of  Sigenot's  approach. 

"You  would  find  it  as  easy  to  gain  the  love  of  a  star  as  to 
wile  Queen  Virginal  away  from  her  glaciers  and  snow  moun- 
tains," said  Hildebrand. 

While  the  heroes  were  thus  talking  together,  a  tiny  little 
mannikin  dressed  in  full  armour  suddenly  stood  before  them, 

"  Noble  warriors,"  he  said,  "  you  must  know  that  I  am  Bibung, 
the  unconquerable  protector  of  Queen  Virginal,  ruler  of  all  the 
dwarfs  and  giants  in  these  mountains.  With  my  help  she 
chased  thievish  Elbegast  away  from  her  dominions  ;  but  the 
wretch  has  now  invaded  her  realm  with  the  help  of  the 
magician  Ortgis,  his  giants  and  his  lind-worms.  He  has  forced 
her  by  his  black  art  to  pay  him  a  shameful  tribute.  He  obliges 
her  every  full  moon  to  give  him  one  of  her  beautiful  maidens, 
whom  he  then  imprisons,  fattens,  and  eats  for  his  dinner.  So 
Jeraspunt,  her  palace,  is  filled  with  weeping  and  mourning.  My 
lady,  hearing  that  you  conquered  the  dread  Sigenot,  entreats  you 
to  come  to  her  aid  ;  therefore  hasten  to  Jeraspunt  and  rescue 
our  great  queen." 

The  heroes  consented,  and  asked  to  be  shown  the  way.  The 
dwarf  guided  them  till  they  came  within  sight  of  a  wondrous 
building  shining  on  the  heights  in  the  light  of  the  evening  sun. 
Hildebrand  broke  the  silence  that  had  fallen  on  them  by  exclaim- 
ing, "  Truly  if  the  lady  Ute  were  not  my  wife,  I  should  be 
inclined  to  try  my  luck  with  Queen  Virginal  ;  but  as  things 
are,  I  will  do  my  best  to  help  you  to  win  her.  Well,  Bibung ! 
— why,  where  in  the  world  has  the  rascal  got  to  }  " 

"The  unconquerable  protector  of  the  queen  has  a  wholesome 
terror  of  Ortgis,"  laughed  Dietrich.  "  But  now  let  us  on  to  the 
palace." 

"  Night    is    the    time    for    witches    to    journey,    not   honest 


DIETRICH  AND  HILDEBRAND.  145 


men,"  said  Hildebrand,  "so  let  us  stretch  ourselves  on  the  soft 
moss,  and  rest  until  morning." 

The  next  morning  was  dull  and  misty,  and  a  snow  storm 
beat  in  the  faces  of  the  warriors  as  they  climbed  the  steep  moun- 
tain on  foot,  by  a  road  impassable  for  horses.  On  and  on  they 
went,  a  weary  way.  As  they  stopped  to  slake  their  thirst  at 
a  spring,  they  heard  a  woman's  voice  shrieking  for  help.  A 
girl  rushed  up  to  them  and  entreated  their  aid  against  terrible 
Ortgis,  to  whom  she  had  been  delivered  according  to  the  treaty, 
and  who  was  now  hunting  her  down  with  his  dogs.  At  the  same 
moment  the  holloa  of  the  huntsman  was  heard,  and  in  another 
the  battle  of  the  heroes  with  Ortgis  and  his  followers  had  begun. 
Gigantic  as  were  Ortgis  and  his  train,  they  soon  fell  under  the 
swords  of  the  heroes.  One  man  alone  escaped,  but  he  was  the 
worst  of  the  whole  crew,  for  he  was  Janibas,  son  of  Ortgis,  and 
a  great  magician  like  his  father. 

Dietrich  and  Hildebrand  determined  to  take  shelter  in  the 
castle  of  Ortgis  which  was  nigh  at  hand.  When  they  knocked 
at  the  door  several  armed  giants  rushed  out  upon  them,  but  at 
length  they  too  were  conquered,  A  horseman  in  black  armour 
had  kept  behind  the  rest  during  the  battle.  He  murmured 
something  in  a  strange  language,  and  obedient  to  his  voice,  new 
giants  arose  out  of  the  earth,  to  take  the  place  of  the  slain  ; 
still  the  heroes  were  victorious.  The  black  horseman  continued 
to  murmur,  and  horrible  lind-worms  crept  out  of  the  ground, 
and  with  them  Dietrich  and  Hildebrand  had  to  fight  all  night 
long.  The  black  horseman  disappeared  at  last,  when  the  first 
rays  of  the  rising  sun  lighted  up  the  castle  in  the  valley.  At 
the  same  moment  the  heroes  saw  an  enormous  old  lind-worm 
crawling  away  with  an  armed  man  in  its  jaws.  It  wanted  to 
creep  away  unnoticed,  but  the  warriors  immediately  attacked  it. 
The  dragon  let  its   victim   fall,   and   hurled   itself,  hissing,  upon 

K 


146  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 


Dietrich  who  stood  nearest.  With  one  claw  it  tore  away  his 
shield  and  ripped  up  his  coat  of  mail  ;  at  the  same  time  it 
caught  up  Hildebrand  with  its  tail  and  flung  him  to  a  great 
distance.  But  Dietrich  thrust  his  sword  right  through  its  jaws, 
and  so  deep  into  a  neighbouring  tree,  that  the  creature  was 
pinned  down,  and  died  a  few  minutes  after,  roaring  like  thunder. 

The  maiden  they  had  saved  from  Ortgis  had  watched  the 
combat  from  afar.  She  now  approached  and  bound  up  Dietrich's 
wounds,  pouring  in  a  healing  balm.  Meanwhile,  Hildebrand  had 
picked  up  the  man  the  dragon  had  let  fall,  and  recognised  him 
as  Ruotwin,  the  son  of  Helfrich  of  Tuscany,  who  was  his  mother's 
brother. 

Ruotwin  joined  the  other  two,  and  promised  to  help  them  to 
punish  the  wizard  Janibas.  Further  help  appeared  in  the  per- 
son of  Helfrich.  The  whole  party  now  moved  on  towards  the 
magician's  castle,  the  gates  of  which  stood  open.  The  court  was 
full  of  armed  men,  amongst  whom  was  Janibas  in  black  armour, 
riding  on  a  coal  black  steed.  He  murmured  magic  words,  and 
lions  rushed  out  on  the  heroes.  These  great  beasts  were  slain, 
and  so  were  the  men-at-arms  who  followed  them.  Janibas  alone 
escaped. 

Dietrich  and  his  followers  entered  the  castle,  where  they  found 
three  of  the  queen's  maidens  cooped  up  for  fattening,  and  set 
them  free.  After  which,  they  burnt  the  magician's  fortress,  that 
it  might  not  serve  as  a  refuge  to  Janibas  if  he  returned  to  that 
part  of  the  country. 

The  whole  party  then  started  for  Aron,  the  castle  of  Helfrich, 
where  the  heroes  were  to  rest  before  continuing  their  journey 
to  the  palace  of  Queen  Virginal.  A  short  respite  from  their  toil 
was  the  more  necessary,  as  Dietrich's  wounds  were  very  painful  ; 
but  their  hostess's  good  nursing  had  soon  the  happiest  effect  in 
subduing  the  fever,  and  healing  the  wounds.      At  last   the   day 


DIETRICH  AND  HILDEBRAND.  147 

was  fixed  for  their  departure,  and  Helfrich  had  settled  to  go 
with  them,  and  lead  them  to  Jeraspunt.  While  they  were  making 
their  final  arrangements,  a  dwarf  galloped  up  to  the  door,  and 
throwing  himself  from  his  horse,  entered  the  hall,  his  mantle 
torn  and  dusty,  and  his  countenance  as  pale  as  death. 

"  Help,  noble  heroes,  help  !  "  he  cried.  "  Janibas  has  come 
against  Queen  Virginal  in  battle  array.  He  has  ordered  her  to 
deliver  all  her  maidens  up  to  him,  and  also  the  carbuncle  in 
her  coronet.  If  he  gets  that  into  his  power,  no  one  can  with- 
stand him,  for  it  would  give  him  complete  command  over  all 
the  mountains,  and  over  all  the  giants,  dwarfs  and  lind-worms 
that  inhabit  them.     Woe  to  them,  if  they  fall  into  his  hands." 

Dietrich  at  once  declared  his  readiness  to  go  alone  to  the 
queen's  help,  if  the  others  were  not  prepared  to  start  on  the 
instant. 

"  What,  alone  !  "  cried  the  dwarf.  "  If  you  go  alone  you  are 
a  dead  man.  Even  I,  her  majesty's  special  defender,  had  to 
turn  my  back,  and  fly  before  the  foe  ;  what  then  would  become 
of  you  > " 

Nobody  could  help  laughing  at  the  mannikin's  conceit  ;  but 
there  was  no  time  to  lose,  and  all  the  warriors  hastened  to  arm 
and  start  for  the  palace. 

The  heroes  and  their  friends  had  a  long  and  hard  pull  up  the 
mountain  side,  over  snow  fields  and  glaciers,  in  the  midst  of 
which  great  crevasses  yawned  in  unexpected  places,  but  they  were 
cheered  on  their  way  by  catching  from  every  height  a  glimpse 
of  Jeraspunt.  At  length  they  came  so  near  that  they  heard 
shrieks  and  howls,  and  other  sounds  of  battle.  A  few  minutes 
later  the  terrible  scene  was  visible.  Some  of  the  palace  guard 
were  killed  and  mangled,  others  were  yet  defending  themselves 
Gigantic  dogs,  monsters  of  every  sort,  and  hordes  of  savage 
warriors  formed  the  enemy's  ranks.     Many  had  forced  their  way 


148  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 


through  the  broken  gate,  and  were  raging,  storming,  and  howl- 
ing round  the  queen's  throne. 

The  sovereign  lady  sat  there  unmoved,  surrounded  by  her 
trembling  maidens ;  a  carbuncle  glowed  in  the  diadem  that 
graced  her  head,  and  a  silver  veil  was  wrapt  about  her.  Her 
only  protection  seemed  to  be  a  magic  circle  that  her  assailants 
could  not  pass.  Whether  the  magic  lay  in  her  wonderful  beauty 
or  in  the  spiritual  love  that  shone  in  her  face,  it  were  impossible 
to  say.  No  one  had  yet  dared  to  approach  her.  Even  the 
heroes  halted  for  a  moment  on  first  seeing  her,  but  then  re- 
covering themselves,  pressed  forward. 

They  made  their  way  in  spite  of  clouds  of  snow,  and  lumps 
of  ice,  to  say  nothing  of  a  frightful  hurricane  that  almost  blew 
them  away.  The  mountains  trembled  under  repeated  thunder 
claps,  and  a  bottomless  crevasse  divided  them  from  the  palace. 
But  at  the  same  moment  Dietrich  perceived  the  black  horseman 
reading  his  magic  spells  from  an  iron  tablet.  He  sprang  upon 
him,  broke  the  tablet,  and  slew  the  magician.  A  great  clap  of 
thunder  rolled  over  the  mountains,  avalanches  fell,  ice  fields 
broke  up,  and  then  came  a  silence  as  of  death.  The  spell  was 
broken,  the  yawning  gulf  closed,  and  the  way  to  the  palace  was 
free.  The  magician's  followers,  eager  to  avenge  their  master, 
attacked  the  heroes  and  their  men,  but  their  efforts  were  vain. 
The  monsters,  who  yet  lived,  had  soon  to  fly  and  seek  refuge 
in  the  solitudes  of  the  snow  mountains. 

Dietrich  now  approached  the  queen  at  the  head  of  his  fol- 
lowers. He  would  have  knelt  before  her,  but  she  rose  from 
her  throne,  and  offering  him  her  hand,  greeted  him  with  a  kiss. 
Unable  to  utter  a  word,  he  let  her  lead  him  to  the  throne,  and 
seated  himself  at  her  side. 

"  Know,  great  hero,"  she  said,  "  that  I  have  seen  your  love 
and   your   deeds.     I   give  up   my  rule    in    Elf-land,  and  will  go 


DIETRICH    ESPIES    QUEEN    VIRGINAL, 
•49 


DIETRICH  AND  HILDEBRAND.  151 

home  with  you,  and    live  amongst  mortal   men  till  death  parts 
us." 

The  palace  was  cleansed  by  invisible  hands ;  the  gate,  and  all 
the  broken  posts  and  pillars  were  mended  during  the  night,  and 
the  marriage  of  the  mortal  hero  with  the  elf-queen  was  solemnized 
soon  after.  The  husband  and  wife  then  started  for  Bern,  where 
Virginal  made  his  home  so  delightful  that  it  was  long  before 
Dietrich  thought  of  seeking  more  adventures.  Meanwhile  there 
was  sorrow  in  the  mountains,  and  in  the  heart  of  every  elf  that 
lived  there.  The  queen  had  left  her  country  and  her  people 
for  the  sake  of  a  mortal.  All  nature  mourned  her  absence,  the 
funsets  had  no  longer  the  prismatic  hues  of  former  times,  and 
the  fairy  palace  was  invisible  to  all. 


152 


DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 


DIETRICH'S  COMRADES. 

Heime. 
N  all  countries  and  amongst  all 
nations  were  spread  the  name 
and  fame  of  Dietrich  of  Bern, 
for  he  was  the  favourite  hero 
of  many  a  wandering  minstrel,  and  so  it  came  to  pass  that 
numbers  of  brave  warriors  used  to  go  and  visit  him,  and  take 
part  in  the  amusements  or  serious  occupations  that  engrossed 
the  attention  of  their  host  during  the  time  of  their  visit 


DIETRICH'S  COMRADES.  153 

Even  in  the  far  north  his  name  was  famous,  not  only  in  the 
tastle  of  the  noble,  but  in  many  a  wayside  inn  and  solitary 
grange. 

At  the  time  of  which  we  speak,  a  renowned  horse-dealer  called 
Studas  lived  in  the  heart  of  a  great  forest.  He  cared  little  for 
the  singing  and  fiddling  of  the  wandering  minstrels,  but  his 
son  Heime  was  different.  He  often  declared  that  he  knew  he 
could  wield  lance  and  sword  as  well  as  the  hero  of  Bern.  His 
father  was  weary  of  his  vainglorious  talk,  and  one  day,  when 
the  young  fellow  was  boasting  as  usual  that  he  was  as  good  a 
man  as  Dietrich,  if  not  better,  his  father  exclaimed  in  a  pet : 

"Well,  if  that  be  the  case,  go  up  to  the  hollow  mountain,  and 
kill  the  dragon  that  is  doing  all  this  mischief  in  the  neighbour- 
hood.'^ 

The  lad  looked  up  at  him  inquiringly.  The  father  nodded, 
and  Heime,  casting  a  haughty  look  at  him,  turned  and  went 
out. 

"  He  will  not  do  it,'*  muttered  the  old  man,  "  but  I  think  I 
have  cooled  his  hot  blood  for  him." 

Things  were  going  otherwise  than  honest  Studas  dreamed  in 
his  philosophy.  His  bold  son  armed  himself,  and  mounting  one 
of  his  father's  best  horses,  rode  off  to  the  mountain.  The  lind- 
worm  sprang  at  him  with  open  jaws,  but  the  lad  plunged  his 
spear  into  his  mouth  with  such  force  that  the  point  came  out 
behind  his  head.  The  monster  lashed  the  ground  long  and 
furiously  with  his  tail,  but  at  length  fell  dead.  Whereupon 
Heime  cut  off  his  head,  and  riding  home,  took  it  into  the  grange, 
and  flung  the  trophy  at  his  father's  feet. 

"St.  Kilian!"  cried  Studas.  "Boy,  have  you  really  killed  the 
dragon?    Well ." 

"Well,"  answered  the  bold  youth,  "I  shall  now  go  and  slay 
the  hero  of  Bern.     Give  me  the  horse  that  carried  me  so  bravely 


154  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 


to-day.     He  will   take   me   to   Bern,  and    bring   me   home  again 
without  hurt." 

The  old  man  felt  his  head  go  round  when  he  heard  his  son 
speak  in  such  a  way ;  but  he  granted  the  lad's  request,  and 
Heime  rode  out  into  the  unknown  world. 

In  the  royal  palace  of  Bern  Queen  Virginal  was  busy  filling 
the  goblets  of  the  warriors,  who  feasted  with  her  husband,  and 
who  agreed  that  great  as  were  the  blessings  of  peace,  it  was  high 
time  they  should  be  up  and  doing  something,  lest  their  swords 
should  rust  in  their  scabbards.  In  the  midst  of  this  conversation 
the  door  opened,  and  a  stranger  entered  in  full  armour.  He  was 
a  tall  broad-shouldered  man,  and  apparently  young. 

Hildebrand  welcomed  him,  and  invited  him  to  take  off  his 
coat-of-mail,  telling  him  that  purple  and  silken  garments  were 
more  suited  to  a  royal  feast  than  the  panoply  of  war. 

"  My  trade  is  war,"  said  the  stranger,  "  I  am  Heime,  son  of  the 
horse-dealer  Studas,  and  have  come  to  challenge  the  famous 
Dietrich  to  come  out  with  me  into  the  open  field,  and  try  which 
of  us  is  the  better  man.'' 

He  spoke  so  loud  that  every  one  heard,  and  Dietrich  at  once 
accepted  his  challenge,  calling  upon  his  guests  to  come  out  and 
watch  the  fray.  The  king  then  put  on  his  armour,  mounted  his 
good  horse,  Falcon,  and  in  another  moment  was  ready  for  the 
combat. 

They  fought  for  some  time  on  horseback,  but  at  length  the 
shafts  of  their  spears  being  broken  in  the  melee,  they  sprang  to 
the  ground,  and  continued  the  combat  on  foot.  Again  a  little 
time,  and  after  Heime  had  performed  wonderful  feats  of  valour, 
his  sword  broke,  and  he  stood  defenceless  before  the  angry  king 
Dietrich  swung  his  sword  above  his  head  preparatory  to  givinJ 
his  opponent  the  death-blow,  but  he  had  not  the  heart  to  do  it. 
He  had  compassion  on  the  youth  and  courage  of  the  bold  warrior 


DIETRICH'S  COMRADES.  157 


who  stood  so  fearless  before  him.  Letting  his  sword  fall  to  his 
side,  the  king  offered  his  hand  to  Heime  in  sign  of  peace.  This 
generosity  conquered  the  lad  completely.  He  took  the  offered 
hand,  said  that  he  confessed  himself  overcome,  and  swore  that 
henceforth  he  would  be  a  faithful  servant  and  follower  of  the 
glorious  king.  Dietrich  was  pleased  to  number  a  man  like 
Heime  among  his  followers,  and  presented  him  with  castles  and 
rich  lands 


WiTTICH. 

Wittich  was  the  son  of  Wieland,  the  smith  of  Heligoland,  by 
Boswilde  (Badhilda).  From  his  earliest  childhood  his  father  had 
taught  him  the  use  of  the  bow,  and  the  greatest  praise  he  ever 
gave  him  was  to  say, — 

"  You  are  a  bowman  like  my  brother  Eigel." 

Young  Wittich  wanted  very  much  to  learn  all  that  he  could 
about  his  uncle,  and  Wieland  began  : 

"When  your  mother's  father — Niduder,  Drost  of  the  Niars — 
made  me  a  prisoner  long  ago,  my  brother  Eigel  came  to  his 
castle,  and  entered  his  service  as  bowman  of  the  guard.  Every 
one  admired  his  skill.  He  could  shoot  away  the  head  of  an 
eagle  that  was  flying  high  as  the  heavens.  I  have  also  seen  him 
aim  an  arrow  at  the  right  or  left  foot  of  a  lynx,  and  pin  it 
to  the  bough  on  which  the  creature  sat.  And  he  did  other 
wonderful  things  too  numerous  to  relate.  But  the  Drost  wanted 
to  see  something  more  wonderful  still,  so  he  desired  him  to 
shoot  an  apple  off  the  head  of  his  own  child  at  a  hundred  paces 
oiT,  telling  him  at  the  same  time  that  if  he  refused,  or  if  obeying, 
he  missed  his  mark,  he  would  have  the  boy  hewn  in  pieces  before 
his  eyes.  Eigel  drew  three  arrows  from  his  quiver,  and  fitted  one 
to  the  bowstring.     The  boy  stood  motionless,  looking  at  his  father 


158  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

with  perfect  confidence.  Could  you  have  done  that,  my  lad  ? 
Eh !  " 

"  No  father,"  answered  Wittich  boldly,  "I  would  have  fetched 
your  trusty  sword  Mimung,  and  have  hewn  off  the  head  of 
that  wicked  old  man ;  and  then,  if  his  Niars  had  tried  to 
avenge  him,  I  would  have  chased  them  out  of  the  country." 

"All  very  fine,  young  hero,"  laughed  the  father,  "but  re- 
member this  ;  a  true  hero  only  speaks  of  what  he  has  done, 
not  of  what  he  would  have  done  under  such  and  such  circum- 
stances. It  would  have  been  better,  however,  if  Eigel  had  done 
something  of  that  kind.  After  he  had  shot  away  the  apple, 
he  turned  to  the  Drost,  and  told  him,  that  had  he  by  any 
accident  killed  his  son,  he  would  have  used  the  two  other 
arrows  in  shooting  him  first,  and  then  himself.  The  Drost 
took  no  notice  of  the  speech  at  the  time,  but  soon  afterwards, 
he  exiled  the  bowman  without  thanks  or  payment,  and  no  one 
knows  what  has  become  of  him." 

The  smith  brought  up  his  son  on  tales  like  this,  which 
naturally  excited  the  boy's  ardour  for  adventure,  and  made  him 
more  and  more  unwilling  to  work  at  the  forge.  One  day  the 
lad  spoke  out,  and  asked  his  father  to  give  him  a  suit  of 
armour,  and  the  good  sword  Mimung,  that  he  might  hie  away 
to  Bern,  fight  with  king  Dietrich,  and  win  a  kingdom  like 
his  ancestors.  After  many  refusals  the  smith  at  last  gave  his 
consent,  and  furnished  his  son  with  all  that  he  needed  for  the 
enterprise,  explaining  to  him  the  special  virtues  of  each  weapon. 
Finally  he  told  him  to  remember  that  his  great-grandfather. 
King  Wilkinus,  a  mighty  warrior  in  his  day,  had  married  a 
mermaid,  who,  when  the  king  was  dying,  had  promised  him,  by 
the  memory  of  their  love,  that  she  would  help  any  of  their 
descendants  who  asked  for  her  aid.  "  Go  down  to  the  sea- 
shore, my  son,"  continued  the  smith,  "if  ever  you  are  in  need, 


DIETRICH'S  COMRADES.  159 

and  demand  the  protection  of  our  ancestress."  And  then  with 
much  sage  advice,  together  with  many  old  stories  of  things  he 
had  seen  and  known,  Wieland  took  leave  of  his  son. 

Wittich  rode  on  for  many  days  before  he  met  with  any 
adventure.  At  length  he  came  to  a  broad  river,  and  dis- 
mounting, took  off  his  armour,  which  he  laid  upon  the  bank, 
and  began  to  wade  across  the  water,  leading  his  horse  Skemming 
by  the  bridle.  When  half  way  across,  three  horsemen  in  full 
armour  passed  by,  and  seeing  him  began  to  taunt  him  and 
ask  him  where  he  was  going.  He  told  them  that  if  they 
would  wait  until  he  had  put  his  armour  on,  he  was  ready  to 
try  conclusions  with  them.  They  agreed,  but  no  sooner  did 
they  see  him  dressed  in  his  coat  of  mail,  and  mounted  on  his 
good  steed,  than  they  bethought  them,  that  as  they  were  in  a 
strange  place,  it  would  be  better  to  have  a  man  of  such  thews 
and  sinews  for  a  comrade  than  an  enemy.  So  they  offered 
him  peace  instead  of  war.  He  accepted,  and  after  shaking 
hands,  they  journeyed  on  together. 

They  rode  up  stream  for  a  long  way,  and  at  last  they  came 
to  a  castle.  A  host  of  savage-looking  men  poured  out  of  the 
gates,  and  advanced  to  meet  them. 

"  There  are  too  many  for  us  to  conquer,"  said  the  eldest  of 
the  strangers,  "still  I  think  that  our  good  swords  may  enable 
us  to  hew  our  way  across  the  bridge," 

"  Let  me  go  and  offer  them  a  silver  piece  as  toll,"  said 
Wittich,  and  setting  spurs  to  his  horse  he  rode  on. 

Arrived  at  the  bridge,  he  was  informed  that  the  only  toll 
demanded  or  accepted  there  were  the  horse,  armour,  clothes, 
right  hand  and  right  foot  of  the  traveller.  He  explained  that 
he  could  not  afford  to  pay  so  high  a  price  for  so  small  a  benefit, 
and  offered  them  a  piece  of  money.  Whereupon  they  drew 
their  swords  and  attacked  him. 


i6o  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

The  three  warriors  meanwhile  kept  on  a  neighbouring  height, 
and  watched  and  commented  on  all  that  went  on  below.  Seeing 
that  their  new  friend  seemed  hard  beset,  two  of  them  galloped 
to  his  assistance,  while  the  third  held  back  in  scorn.  But 
before  they  reached  the  place  of  combat,  seven  of  the  robbers 
were  slain,  and  at  sight  of  them  the  others  took  flight. 

The  heroes  now  rode  on  to  the  castle,  where  they  found  plenty 
of  food  and  much  booty.  While  they  enjoyed  their  evening 
meal,  their  tongues  were  unloosed,  and  each  told  his  name  and 
deeds.  Wittich  had  more  to  tell  about  his  father  than  about 
himself,  and  then  he  learnt  that  the  eldest  of  his  new  compan- 
ions was  Master  Hildebrand,  the  second  strong  Heime,  and 
the  third  Yarl  Harnboge,  who  was  also  a  comrade  of  Dietrich. 

"This  is  a  stroke  of  good  luck  for  me,"  cried  the  young 
warrior,  "  for  I  am  on  my  way  to  Bern  to  try  my  strength 
against  the  glorious  king,  and  I  have  good  hope  that  I  may 
win  the  day,  for  my  father  has  given  me  his  sword  Mimung 
that  can  cut  through  steel  and  stone.  Just  look  at  the  hilt, 
is  not  the  workmanship  beautiful  ?" 

On  hearing  this,  the  three  comrades  grew  more  silent,  and 
proposed  to  go  to  rest,  as  they  were  very  tired.  Wittich 
followed  their  example. 

The  young  hero  was  soon  snoring  in  company  with  Heime 
and  Hornboge,  but  Hildebrand  lay  awake,  a  prey  to  sad  fore- 
bodings. He  knew  that  Wittich's  sword  could  cut  through  his 
master's  helmet,  and  he  considered  what  was  to  be  done.  He 
crept  noiselessly  from  his  bed,  and  taking  Mimung,  compared  it 
with  his  own  sword.  The  two  blades  were  wonderfully  alike, 
but  not  the  hilts.  So  with  a  grim  smile  of  satisfaction,  he 
carefully  unscrewed  the  blades  from  the  hilts,  and  exchanged 
them  ;  then  returned  to  his  couch,  and  soon  after  fell  asleep. 

They  started  again  on  their   journey  next  morning.      In  the 


DIETRICH'S  COMRADES.  i6i 

course  of  a  few  days,  they  met  with  several  adventures  that 
proved  to  Hildebrand  and  his  comrades  that  VVittich  was  of 
the  stuff  that  heroes  are  made  of. 

On  hearing  of  the  arrival  of  his  old  master  and  the  rest, 
King  Dietrich  hastened  out  into  the  court  to  meet  and  welcome 
them.  But  his  astonishment  was  great  when  the  young  stranger 
pulled  off  his  silver  gauntlet  and  handed  it  to  him.  In  another 
moment  Dietrich  had  snatched  it,  and  flung  it  in  the  youth's 
face,  exclaiming  wrathfully : 

"  Do  you  think  it  is  part  of  a  king's  duty  to  make  a  target 
of  himself  for  every  wandering  adventurer  to  strike  at  ?  Here, 
my  men,  seize  the  rascal,  and  hang  him  to  the  highest  gallows." 

"The  power  to  do  so  is  on  your  side,"  answered  Wittich, 
"  but  bethink  you,  my  lord,  whether  such  a  deed  would  not 
bring  dishonour  on  your  fair  fame." 

And  Hildebrand  said,  "  Sire,  this  is  Wittich,  son  of  Wieland, 
the  celebrated  smith.  He  is  no  mean  man,  or  secret  traitor, 
but  well  worthy  of  a  place  in  the  ranks  of  your  comrades." 

"  Very  well,  master,"  replied  the  king,  "  I  will  fight  him  as 
he  desires,  but  should  he  be  conquered,  I  will  deliver  him  to 
the  hangman.  It  is  my  last  word.  Now  come  to  the  race- 
course." 

The  whole  town  assembled  to  witness  the  duel  between  the 
king  and  the  stranger.  The  combat  raged  long,  but  at  last 
Wittich's  sword  broke,  and  he  stood  defenceless  before  the 
king. 

"  False  father,  you  deceived  me,"  he  cried,  "  you  gave  me  the 
wrong  sword,  and  not  Mimung." 

"  Surrender,  vagrant,"  cried  Dietrich,  "  and  then  to  the  gallows 
with  you." 

The  young  warrior's  last  hour  had  come,  if  Hildebrand  had 
not  sprung  between  them. 

L 


i62  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

"Sire,"  he  said,  "spare  an  unarmed  man,  and  make  him 
one  of  your  comrades.  We  could  not  have  a  more  heroic  soul 
in  our  company." 

"  No.  He  shall  go  to  the  gallows.  Stand  back,  master,  that 
he  may  once  more  lick  the  dust  before  me." 

The  master  was  sick  at  heart.  He  thought  of  how  he  had 
wronged  the  young  hero  by  changing  his  sword:  "Here,  brave 
warrior,  is  your  sword  Mimung,"  he  said,  handing  Wittich  the 
weapon  at  his  side,  "  and  now,  Dietrich,  do  your  best ! " 

The  battle  began  again,  and  Mimung  showed  its  mettle  now. 
Bits  of  the  king's  shield  and  armour  fell  away,  and  a  home- 
stroke  laid  his  helmet  open.  '•  Surrender,  king ! "  cried  the 
victorious  youth  ;  but  Dietrich  fought  on,  in  spite  of  terrible 
wounds. 

Then  the  master  sprang  forward. 

"  Wittich,"  he  cried,  "  hold  your  hand,  for  it  is  not  your 
own  strength,  but  Wieland's  sword  that  gives  you  victory.  Be 
our  comrade,  and  then  we  shall  rule  the  world,  for,  next  to 
the  king,  you  are  the  bravest  of  all  the  heroes." 

"Master,"  replied  Wittich,  "you  helped  me  in  my  need  and 
I  will  not  now  deny  you."     Then  turning  to  the  king  : 

"Glorious  hero  of  Bern,  I  am  your  man  henceforward,  and 
will  be  faithful  to  you  as  long  as  I  live." 

The  king  took  his  offered  hand  in  his  firm  grasp,  and  made 
him  ruler  over  a  large  fief. 

WiLDEBER,   IlSAN  AND   OTHER   COMRADES. 

Ecke  was  the  eldest  son  of  the  once  powerful  king  Mentiger 
by  the  mermaid  whom  he  made  his  queen.  He  loved  Queen 
Seeburg,  who  lived  at  Cologne  in  the  Rhineland.  Seeburg 
had  a  great  desire  to   see  King  Dietrich,  and    Ecke  on  hearing 


DIETRICH'S  COMRADES.  163 

of  it,  promised  to  bring  him  to  her,  or  die  in  the  attempt. 
She,  on  her  side,  said  that  she  would  be  his  wife  if  he  came 
home  successful.  He  went,  met  Dietrich,  and  after  showing 
prodigies  of  valour,  died  at  his  hands,  much  to  the  sorrow  of 
the  king,  who  had  learnt  to  love  him  during  the  few  hours  of 
their  acquaintance. 

When  Dietrich  returned  to  Bern  after  slaying  Ecke,  Heime 
came  out  to  meet  him,  and  was  so  outspoken  in  his  joy  at 
seeing  him  again,  that  the  king,  much  touched,  gave  him  his 
good  sword  Nagelring  as  a  sign  of  his  friendship.  The  warrior 
received  it  with  delight,  and  kissed  the  trusty  blade  twice  or 
thrice,  as  he   said  : 

"  I  will  wear  this  sword  for  the  glory  of  my  king,  and  will 
never  part  with  it  as   long  as  I  live." 

"  You  are  unworthy  of  the  sword,"  cried  Wittich,  who  had 
come  up  with  the  other  warriors :  "  Do  you  remember  how  you 
left  your  weapon  in  its  sheath  when  the  robbers  were  attacking 
me,  and  that  Hildebrand  and  Hornboge  alone  helped  me  ? " 

"Your  self-sufficiency  had  made  me  angry,  as  your  spiteful 
tongue  does  now.     I  will  cut  it  out." 

Both  men  put  their  hands  to  their  swords,  but  the  king 
stepped  between  them,  and  desired  them  to  keep  the  peace  in 
the  castle.  When  he  learnt  all  that  had  happened,  Dietrich  told 
Heime  that  he  might  go  his  way,  because  it  was  not  seemly  in 
a  warrior  to  leave  his  comrade  unaided  in  danger.  But  he 
added,  that  when  he  had  shown  by  brave  deeds  that  he  was 
really  a  hero,  he  might  return  to  them  once  more. 

"Well,  sire,  I  think  I  shall  win  myself  greater  wealth  by 
Nagelring  than  I  lose  in  the  castles  you  now  take  from  me." 

Having  thus  spoken,  the  bold  warrior  sprang  on  his  horse,  and 
rode  away  without  taking  leave  of  any  one.  He  rode  on,  till 
he  reached  the  Wisara  (Weser),  where  he  drew  a  band  of  robbers 


1 64  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

around  him,  and  wrought  great  mischief.  He  plundered  the 
defenceless  country-people,  and  even  bold  warriors  had  to  pay 
him  black  mail ;  and  thus,  through  highway  robbery,  he  became 
the  owner  of  a  great  hoard  of  wealth,  which  he  was  never  tired 
of  increasing. 

Dietrich  had  to  tell  his  friends  of  his  terrible  combat  with  the 
hero  Ecke,  in  which  he  had  won  the  beautiful  suit  of  armour  he 
brought  home  with  him,  and  the  good  sword  Ecke-sax.  One 
day,  when  the  warriors  were  discussing  this  subject,  a  monk  entered 
the  hall,  and  remained  standing  humbly  near  the  door.  He 
was  tall  and  broad-shouldered,  and  his  cowl  was  pulled  forward 
so  as  to  hide  his  face.  The  servants  began  to  play  him  tricks, 
until  at  last  the  monk,  growing  impatient,  seized  one  of  his 
persecutors  by  the  ear,  and  held  him  up  shrieking  in  the  air. 

When  the  king  asked  the  reason  of  the  noise,  the  monk  stepped 
forward,  and  begged  a  morsel  of  bread  for  a  half-starved  penitent. 
Dietrich  came  forward  himself,  and  commanded  food  and  drink 
to  be  placed  before  the  brother  ;  but  his  astonishment  was  great 
when  the  monk  pushed  back  his  cowl,  and  displayed  well  rounded 
cheeks  that  bore  no  trace  of  starvation.  He  was  still  more 
surprised  when  he  saw  the  quantity  of  food  and  wine  the  reverend 
brother  could  dispose  of. 

"  The  holy  man  has  the  appetite  of  a  wolf,"  murmured  the. 
bystanders. 

"  Five  long  years  have  I  done  penance  by  prayer,  fasting 
and  water-drinking,"  he  said,  "and  have  now  license  from  the 
venerable  prior  to  go  out  into  the  world,  and  lay  penance  on  other 
sinners.  Now,"  he  continued,  going  on  with  his  meal,  "ye  be  all 
miserable  sinners  with  your  continual  feasting  and  drinking,  and  I 
call  upon  you  to  do  penance,  and  be  converted,  that  your  sins 
be  blotted  out." 

Then  he  intoned,  in  a  loud  ringing  voice,  "  O  Sanctissima." 


FRIAR    ILSAN'S   CONJURING   OF  WILDEBER. 


«6 


DIETRICH'S  COMRADES. 


\^ 


Master  Hildebrand  had  joined  the  group,  and  now  exclaimed  : 

"  Why,  it  is  my  own  dear  brother,  Ilsan  the  Monk." 

"  Culpa  mea,"  cried  the  monk ;  "  touch  me  not,  unholy  brother. 
Confess,  and  do  penance,  that  thou  go  not  straight  to  hell  like 
the  others." 

"  But,"  said  the  master,  "  we  are  all  collected  here  together  to 
convert,  by  kindness  or  force,  all  monsters,  giants,  and  dwarfs ;  so, 
my  reverend  brother,  I  now  beg  of  you  to  lay  aside  your  robes, 
and  once  more  become  one  of  us." 

"  Convert,  say  you  t  Yea,  I  have  license  to  convert  the  heathen, 
and  will  therefore  join  you  in  your  pious  work." 

With  these  words,  the  monk  flung  off  his  robes,  and  stood 
before  them  dressed  in  full  armour. 

"  Here,"  he  cried,  touching  his  broadsword,  "  is  my  preacher's 
staff,  and  here,"  pointing  to  his  coat  of  mail,  "  my  breviary.  St. 
Kilian  pray  for  me  and  for  all  of  us,  Ora  pro  nobis." 

He  sat  down  amongst  the  warriors,  who  had  all  known  the 
stout  monk  Ilsan  for  many  years.  He  drank  and  sang,  now 
psalms,  now  songs,  and  told  merry  tales  of  his  life  in  the 
monastery. 

Evening  came  on  apace.  Candles  and  torches  were  lighted. 
Suddenly  every  one  was  startled  by  a  strange  creature  pattering 
in  at  the  door.  It  was  like  a  bear  to  look  upon.  Its  head 
resembled  that  of  a  boar,  but  its  hands  and  feet  were  of  human 
form.  The  monster  stood  as  though  rooted  to  the  threshold,  and 
appeared  to  be  considering  on  whom  first  to  make  its  spring. 

"  An  evil  spirit,"  cried  Ilsan  ;  "  a  soul  escaped  from  the  purga- 
torial fire.  I  will  address  it.  Conjuro  te  .  .  ."  He  paused, 
for  the  monster  had  turned  its  face  to  him. 

"I  will  drag  him  back  to  his  purgatory  again,"  cried  bold 
Wolfhart,  springing  over  the  table,  and  seizing  the  creature  by 
its  fur.     But  pull  and  tug  as  he  might,  he  could  not  move  it  by 


j68  DIETRICH  Oh   BERN. 

SO  much  as  an  inch.  It  quietly  gave  the  warrior  such  a  kick, 
that  he  fell  head  over  heels  into  the  middle  of  the  hall. 

Hornboge,  Wittich,  and  other  warriors  tried  to  push  the  monster 
out  with  their  united  strength,  but  in  vain. 

"Give  room,  brave  comrades,"  cried  the  angry  king.  "I  will 
see  whether  the  monster  is  proof  against  my  sword  Ecke-sax." 

"  Sire,"  interrupted  Master  Hildebrand,  catching  him  by  the 
arm,  "  look ;  do  you  not  see  a  golden  bracelet,  sparkling  with 
precious  stones,  on  the  creature's  wrist?  It  is  a  man — perhaps  a 
brave  warrior." 

"  Well,"  said  the  king,  turning  to  his  strange  guest,  "  if  you  are 
indeed  a  hero,  doff  your  disguise.  Join  us,  and  be  our  faithful 
comrade." 

On  hearing  these  words,  the  strange  guest  threw  off  boar's 
head  and  bear's  skin,  and  stood  before  the  king  and  his  followers 
clad  in  armour. 

"I  know  you  now,"  said  Hildebrand.  "You  are  the  brave  hero 
Wildeber,  sumamed  The  Strong.  And  the  gold  bracelet  is  the 
gift  of  a  swan-maiden,  and  makes  your  strength  double.  But 
why  did  you  so  disguise  yourself  ?  Every  brave  man  is  a  welcome 
guest  to  our  king." 

Wildeber  seated  himself  by  the  master's  side,  emptied  a  goblet 
of  sparkling  wine,  and  said  : 

"  Once,  after  fighting  a  hard  fight  with  robbers,  I  lay  down  to 
sleep  on  the  bank  of  a  lake.  Suddenly  I  was  awakened  by  a 
splashing  in  the  water.  Turning  my  eyes  in  the  direction  of  the 
noise,  I  saw  a  beautiful  maiden  bathing.  I  spied  her  swan- 
garment  lying  on  the  bank,  crept  up  to  it  softly,  took  it,  and 
hid  it.  The  maiden  sought  it  everywhere,  and  when  she  could 
not  find  it,  she  began  to  weep  aloud.  I  went  to  her,  and  begged 
that  she  would  follow  me  home  and  be  my  wife.  But  she  wept 
the  more,  and  said  that  she  must  die  if  she  were  deprived  of  her 


DIETRICH'S  COMRADES.  169 


bird's  dress.  I  was  sorry  for  her,  and  gave  it  back,  whereupon 
she  gave  me  this  bracelet,  which  increases  my  strength  immensely; 
but  she  told  me  that  to  preserve  it  I  must  wander  about  as 
a  bear  with  a  boar's  head,  until  the  most  famous  king  on  earth 
chose  me  to  be  one  of  his  comrades.  If  I  did  not  obey  her,  she 
warned  me  that  the  virtue  of  the  jewel  would  depart,  and  I  should 
soon  be  slain  in  battle.  Having  thus  spoken,  she  flew  away. 
That  is  why  I  came  to  you  in  such  disguise,  brave  hero,"  he 
continued,  addressing  Dietrich  ;  "  and  as  you  have  received  me 
into  the  ranks  of  your  comrades  of  your  own  free  will,  I  hope 
that  the  bracelet  will  retain  its  magic  power  as  long  as  I  live." 

"  Pax  vobiscum !  "  stammered  the  monk,  as  he  staggered  away 
to  bed.  The  other  warriors  soon  followed  his  example,  and 
silence  reigned  in  the  palace. 

DiETLEIB. 

King  Dietrich  was  one  day  about  to  mount  his  horse,  and  set 
out  to  visit  his  brother  monarch,  the  Emperor  Ermenrich,  when 
a  warrior  rode  into  the  court.  The  king  at  once  knew  him  to  be 
Heime.  He  was  not  much  pleased  to  see  him  back  at  Bern,  but 
when  Heime  told  him  that  he  had  been  victorious  in  many  battles 
against  giants  and  robbers,  he  consented  to  receive  him  once 
more  into  the  ranks  of  his  comrades,  and  desired  him  to  accom- 
pany him  and  certain  of  his  followers  to  Romaburg. 

At  Fritilaburg,  where  they  rested,  Dietrich  accepted  the  offered 
service  of  a  man  who  called  himself  Ilmenrik,  son  of  a  Danish 
yeoman  Soti ;  and  enrolled  him  amongst  his  servants. 

When  they  came  to  Romaburg,  they  were  received  with  all 
honour  by  the  emperor,  who  gave  them  both  board  and  lodging. 
But  the  emperor  forgot  one  thing  in  his  plans,  and  that  was,  to 
provide  food  for  the  servants,     Ilmenrik  fed  them  the  first  night. 


170  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

On  the  second,  his  private  resources  being  exhausted,  he  pawned 
Heime's  armour  and  horse  for  ten  gold  pieces  ;  on  the  third,  he 
pawned  Wittich's  goods  for  twenty;  and  on  the  fourth,  he  got 
thirty  for  the  weapons  and  horse  of  the  king.  On  the  fifth  day, 
when  the  king  gave  orders  for  their  return  home,  Ilmenrik  asked 
for  money  to  free  the  articles  he  had  pawned.  Dietrich  was 
astonished  and  angry  when  he  heard  how  extravagant  his  servant's 
ideas  had  been.  He  took  him  before  Ermenrich,  who  at  once 
said  he  would  pay  the  sum  required,  and  asked  how  much  it  was. 
The  emperor  and  all  his  court  made  merry  at  Ilmenrik's  expense, 
especially  Walter  of  Wasgenstein  (Vosges),  who  asked  him  if  he 
was  a  were-wolf,  and  well  up  in  strange  knowledge  of  all  kinds. 
Ilmenrik  modestly  answered  that  he  had  learnt  to  perform  many 
feats  of  strength  and  skill  from  his  father,  such  as  putting  the 
stone  and  throwing  the  hammer ;  and  that  he  would  wager  his 
head  against  the  lord  of  Wasgenstein's  that  he  could  beat  him 
in  this.     Walter  accepted  his  challenge,  and  the  trial  began. 

Such  skill  as  Ilmenrik  displayed  had  never  been  seen  before. 
The  heroes  all  feared  for  the  life  of  the  brave  warrior  of  Was- 
genstein.    The  emperor  then  called  the  young  victor  to  him. 

"  Hearken  to  me,  young  sir,"  he  said ;  "  I  will  buy  the  head 
of  my  vassal  from  you  at  whatever  price  you  list.  Gold  for 
blood   is   the   old    law." 

"  Fear  not,  sire,"  answered  Ilmenrik,  "  the  head  of  the  brave 
hero  is  in  no  danger  from  me.  I  do  not  want  it.  But  if  you 
wish  to  do  me  a  kindness,  lend  me  so  much  money  as  I  have 
expended  for  the  keep  of  the  servants,  that  I  may  redeem  the 
weapons,  garments,  and  horses  that  I  pawned." 

"Treasurer,"  said  the  emperor,  turning  to  one  of  his  minis- 
ters, "weigh  out  sixty  marks  of  red  gold,  that  the  fellow  may 
redeem  his  pledges,  and  another  sixty  marks  to  fill  his  purse.' 

**  Thank  you,  my  lord,"  returned  the  young  man,  "  I   do  not 


DIETRICH'S  COMRADES.  ,7, 


need  your  gift,  for  I  am  a  servant  of  the  rich  king  of  Bern, 
who  will  see  that  I  lack  nothing;  but  if  you  will  keep  us 
another  day  here,  I  will,  with  this  sixty  marks,  treat  the  ser- 
vants to  a  better  feast  than  before,  and  also  my  master,  all 
his  warriors,  and  you  yourself,  should  you  desire  to  join  the 
party,  even  if  I  have  to  pawn  horses  and  coats  of  mail  again." 

The  warriors  all  laughed  at  the  merry  youth,  but  Heime 
frowned,  and  said  that  if  ever  he  pawned  his  horse  again  it 
should  cost  him  his  life. 

The  feast  which  the  servant  prepared  them  was  of  royal 
magnificence.  All  were  pleased  except  Heime,  who  secretly 
feared  that  his  property  was  again  in  pawn.  The  young  fellow 
seated  himself  at  his  side,  and  asked  him  in  a  low  voice  if  he 
knew  who  had  given  him  that  scar  on  his  forehead.  Heime 
answered  that  it  was  Dietleib,  son  of  Yarl  Biterolf,  adding  that 
he  would  know  him  again  in  a  moment,  and  that  the  scar 
should   be  avenged  in  blood. 

Ilmenrik  replied  : 

"  Methinks,  bold  warrior,  your  memory  has  gone  a-wool- 
gathering.  If  you  look  me  in  the  face,  you  will  see  that  I  am 
that  Dietleib  whom  you  and  your  robbers  attacked  as  he  was 
riding  through  a  forest  with  his  father.  We  slew  the  robber 
Ingram  and  his  companions,  but  you  escaped  with  that  wound, 
thanks  to  the  speed  of  your  good  horse.  If  you  don't  believe 
me,  I  have  a  witness  here  that  will  prove  my  words  in  the 
open  field.  But  if  you  will  trust  me,  the  matter  may  remain 
a  secret  between  us." 

Towards  the  end  of  the  feast,  Dietrich  told  the  youth  that 
he  should  no  longer  be  a  servant,  but  should  be  received  into 
the  ranks  of  his  comrades ;  and  he,  thanking  him,  answered  that 
he  was  really  Dietleib,  son  of  Yarl  Biterolf,  whose  glorious  deeds 
were  known  far  and  wide. 


172  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

All  the  king's  followers,  except  Heime,  received  the  young 
hero  into  their  ranks  with  pleasure.  He  returned  to  Bern 
with  the  king,  and  proved  himself  his  trusty  comrade  in  many 
an  adventure.  But  he  was  of  a  restless  mind,  and  wished  to 
see  more  of  the  world  ;  so  after  a  time  he  took  service  under 
Etzel,  king  of  the  Huns,  at  whose  court  he  found  his  father 
settled.  Father  and  son  together  were  the  doers  of  many  a 
daring  deed.  King  Etzel,  wishing  to  keep  them  in  his  service, 
offered  them  the  land  of  Steiermark  (Styria)  as  a  fief.  Biterolf 
gave  up  his  share  to  his  son,  who  was  therefore  surnamed  the 
Styrian,  but  who  often  appears  in  story  by  his  right  name  of 
Dietleib  the  Dane. 


ADVENTURES. 


Garden.      He    looked    sadder 
master's    greeting    without    an 


ADVENTURES.    LAURIN. 
ILSAN 

King  Laurin  and  The  Little 
Rose-Garden. 

I  E  T  L  E  I  B   once    came  unex- 
pectedly  on   a  visit   to   Master 
Hildebrand    at    his     castle    of 
than    of    old,   and   returned    the 
answering     smile.       Hildebrand 


174  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

inquired  the  cause  of  his  sadness,  and  he  replied  that  he  had  a 
sweet  and  wise  sister  named  Kunhild,  who  had  kept  house  for 
him  in  Styria.  One  day,  when  she  was  dancing  with  other 
maidens  in  a  green  meadow,  and  he  looking  on,  she  suddenly 
vanished  from  the  circle,  and  no  one  knew  what  had  become 
of  her. 

"  Since  then,"  he  continued,  "  I  have  learnt  from  a  magician 
that  it  was  the  dwarf  king  Laurin  that  hid  her  under  a  cap 
of  darkness,  and  carried  her  off  to  his  hollow  mountain.  This 
mountain  is  in  Tyrol,  where  the  dwarf  has  also  a  wonderful 
Rose-garden.  Now,  good  master,  I  have  come  to  you  for  advice. 
How  can  I  free  my  sister  from  the  power  of  the  goblin  ? " 

"  It  is  a  ticklish  matter,"  said  Hildebrand,  "  and  may  cost 
many  a  good  life.  I  will  go  with  you  to  Bern,  to  see  Dietrich 
and  our  other  comrades,  and  then  we  can  agree  in  council 
what  is  the  best  plan  to  pursue.  For  the  dwarf  is  powerful, 
not  only  because  of  the  extent  of  his  empire,  but  from  his 
knowledge  of  magic." 

When  the  heroes  heard  what  had  brought  Hildebrand  and 
Dietleib  to  Bern,  Wolfhart  spoke  first,  and  said  that  he  would 
adventure  himself  alone  upon  the  quest,  fetch  home  the  maiden 
safe  and  sound,  and  bring  the  royal  mannikin  to  Bern  bound 
to  his  saddle-bow.  Dietleib  then  asked  Hildebrand  if  he  knew 
the  way  to  the  Rose-garden.  He  replied  that  he  did,  but  that 
Laurin  watched  over  the  garden  himself,  and  exacted  the  left 
foot  and  right  hand  of  any  one  who  was  bold  enough  to  ven- 
ture within  its  bounds,  and  spoil  the   roses. 

"  He  cannot  exact  this  tribute,"  said  Wittich,  "  unless  he  gets 
the  better  of  the  warrior  in  fair  fight." 

"  Well  then,"  added  the  king,  "  we  will  not  touch  the  lovely 
flowers.  All  we  want  is  to  save  our  friend's  sister  from  the 
hands  of  the  dwarf,  and  that  is  a  labour  beseeming  a  warrior." 


ADVENTURES.  ,75 


The  heroes  all  swore  to  do  no  hurt  to  the  garden,  and  then 
Hildebrand  consented  to  be  their  guide.  The  adventurers  were 
Hildebrand,   Dietrich,   Dietleib,   Wittich,   and   Wolfhart. 

Their  road  led  them  northward  among  the  wild  mountains, 
and  over  crevasses,  ice,  and  snow.  It  was  a  perilous  way  they 
trod,  but  they  recked  nothing  of  fatigue  or  danger,  for  their 
hearts  beat  high  with  hope.  At  length  they  reached  the 
garden  :  a  lovely  place,  where  spring  reigned  eternally,  making 
it  a  flowery  oasis  in  a  wintry  desert.  The  heroes  feasted 
their  eyes  on  the  beautiful  sight,  and  felt  as  though  they  had 
reached  the  gates  of  paradise. 

Wolfhart  was  the  first  to  break  the  spell :  setting  spurs  to 
his  horse,  he  called  to  his  comrades  to  follow,  and  galloped 
towards  the  garden.  His  mad  career  was  soon  checked  by  an 
iron  door  with  golden  letters  inscribed  on  it  He  tried  to 
break  open  the  door,  but  in  vain  ;  his  comrades  came  to  his 
aid,  and  the  door  was  at  last  beaten  in  by  the  four  strong  men. 
The  garden  was  still  defended  by  a  golden  thread,  such  as  used 
to  surround  the  palaces  of  the  Ases  in  the  olden  time.  The 
warriors  trod  down  the  thread,  and  then,  in  spite  of  Hildebrand's 
warnings,  began  to  pluck  the  roses  and  trample  the  garden. 
Dietrich  did  not  join  in  the  work  of  destruction,  but  stood 
apart  under  a  linden  tree. 

Suddenly  Hildebrand  called  out,  "  Draw  your  swords !  Here 
comes  the  master  of  the  garden." 

They  all  looked  up,  and  saw  something  bright  advancing 
rapidly  towards  them.  Soon  they  were  able  to  distinguish  the 
form  of  a  horseman  riding  a  steed  that  was  swift  as  the  wind. 
He  was  small  of  stature,  and  habited  in  a  complete  suit  of 
armour.  His  helmet  was  of  specially  beautiful  workmanship, 
and  was  further  adorned  with  a  diadem  of  jewels,  in  the  midst 
of  which  a  carbuncle    blazed    like    a    sun.     On  beholding  the 


X7^  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

damage  that  had  just  been  done,  he  drew  rein,  and  exclaimed 
angrily : 

"  What  harm  have  I  ever  done  you,  robbers  as  you  are,  that 
you  should  thus  destroy  my  roses  ?  If  you  had  aught  against 
me,  why  did  you  not  send  me  a  challenge  like  honourable 
men  ?  You  must  now  expiate  your  crime  by  each  giving  me 
his  right  hand   and   left  foot." 

"  If  you  are  King  Laurin,"  answered  Dietrich,  "  we  do  indeed 
owe  you  reparation,  and  will  pay  you  a  fine  in  gold  ;  but  we 
cannot  afford  to  lose  our  right  hands,  for  we  require  them  to 
wield  our  swords ;  and  as  to  our  left  feet,  we  could  not  well 
ride  were  we  deprived  of  them." 

"  He  would  be  a  coward  who  talked  of  paying  any  fine  except 
in  blows,"  cried  Wolfhart ;  "  and  I  am  determined  to  dash  that 
hop-o'-my-thumb,  together  with  the  cat  he  is  riding,  against  the 
cliffs  over  yonder,  and  then  his  bones  will  break  into  such  tiny 
pieces  that  even  his  grasshopper  subjects  can  never  collect  them." 

Upon  this  Laurin  answered  in  words  of  defiance,  and  the 
combat  with  Wolfhart  began,  only  to  end  in  the  latter's  overthrow 
the  moment  he  felt  the  touch  of  the  dwarf's  spear.  Wittich  was 
aiot  more  fortunate  than  his  friend,  for  he  also  was  thrown  from 
3iis  saddle  at  the  first  encounter. 

Laurin  sprang  from  his  horse,  drew  out  a  large  knife,  and 
approached  the  hero,  who  lay  senseless  on  the  ground.  Dietrich 
sprang  forward  to  rescue  his  comrade. 

"  Do  not  venture  the  spear  thrust,  but  close  with  him,"  said 
Hildebrand  in  a  low  voice.  "Laurin  has  three  magic  charms  of 
which  you  must  deprive  him  ;  and  these  are,  a  ring  with  the 
stone  of  victory  on  his  finger,  a  belt  that  gives  him  the  strength 
of  twelve  men  round  his  waist,  and  in  his  pocket  a  cap  of 
darkness,  which  makes  him  invisible  when  he  puts  it  on." 

After   a    long   and    fierce   wrestle,    Dietrich   managed    to    get 


DIETRICH'S  ADVENTURES.  ,77 


possession  of  the  ring,  which  he  at  once  gave  into  the  master's 
charge.  Again  the  combat  raged,  neither  side  gaining  any 
advantage.  At  last  Dietrich  begged  for  a  short  truce,  which 
Laurin  granted. 

The  truce  over,  the  two  kings  renewed  the  fight.  Dietrich 
caught  Laurin  by  the  belt,  and  at  the  same  moment  the  latter 
clasped  him  round  the  knees  so  tight  that  he  fell  backwards. 
The  violence  of  his  fall  broke  the  belt  he  was  holding,  and  it 
slipped  from  his  hand.  Hildebrand  then  rushed  forward  and 
caught  it  before  the  dwarf  could  pick  it  up.  No  sooner  was 
this  done  than  Laurin  went  out  of  sight.  Dietrich  still  felt  the 
blows  he  gave,  but  could  not  see  him.  Filled  with  a  berserkir 
rage  at  his  own  powerlessness,  he  forgot  the  pain  of  his  wounds ; 
he  flung  away  both  sword  and  spear,  sprang  like  a  tiger  in  the 
direction  in  which  he  heard  the  whistling  of  the  invisible  sword, 
and  seized  his  adversary  for  the  third  time.  He  tore  away  the 
cap  of  darkness,  and  Laurin  stood  before  him  praying  for  peace. 

"  I  shall  first  cut  off  your  right  hand  and  left  foot,  and  then 
your  head,  and  after  that  you  may  have  peace,"  cried  the  angered 
hero,  setting  off  in  pursuit  of  the  dwarf,  who  now  took  to  his  heels. 

"  Save  me,  Dietleib,  my  dear  brother-in-law,"  cried  Laurin, 
running  up  to  that  warrior  ;  "your  sister  is  my  queen." 

Dietleib  swung  the  little  creature  on  horseback  before  him,  and 
galloped  away  into  the  wood.  There  he  set  him  down,  and  told 
him  to  hide  himself  until  the  king's  anger  was  abated. 

Coming  back  to  the  place  of  combat,  the  warrior  found  Dietrich 
on  horseback,  and  as  furious  as  before. 

"  I  must  have  either  the  dwarf's  head  or  yours,'*  cried  Dietrich. 

In  another  moment  their  swords  were  flashing ;  a  second  fight 
would  have  begun  had  not  Hildebrand  held  back  the  king  by 
main  force,  while  Wittich  did  the  same  to  Dietleib.  After  a  little 
they  succeeded   in   making  peace  between  the   angry  men,  and 

M 


»;»8  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 


also  in  gaining  grace  for  the  dwarfs.  Later  still  the  warriors 
might  have  been  seen  in  friendly  converse  with  each  other  and 
with  Laurin,  who  was  then  and  there  admitted  as  one  of  Dietrich's 
comrades. 

This  point  settled,  the  dwarf  proposed  to  show  them  the  wonders 
of  his  hollow  mountain,  saying  that  Dietleib  should  then  give  his 
sister  to  him  as  wife,  with  the  usual  ceremonies. 

"  It  is  the  old  law,"  answered  the  hero  of  Steierland,  "  that  when 
a  maiden  has  been  carried  away  from  her  home  and  is  recovered 
by  her  friends,  she  should  have  free  choice  given  her  either  to 
remain  with  her  husband,  or  return  to  her  people.  Are  you 
willing  that  it  should  be  so  in  this  case  .? " 

"  By  all  means,"  said  the  dwarf  "  Now  let  us  go.  Do  you  see 
that  snow-capped  mountain?  My  palace  is  there — so  to  horse, 
that  my  eyes  may  no  longer  be  pained  by  seeing  the  wreck  you 
have  wrought  in  my  garden.     The  roses  will  bloom  again  in  May.'' 

The  journey  to  the  snow-capped  mountain  was  much  longer 
than  the  warriors  had  imagined.  It  lasted  till  noon  of  the  fol- 
lowing day.  Below  the  snow,  they  came  to  a  meadow  that  was 
as  beautiful  as  the  rose-garden.  The  air  was  filled  with  the 
perfume  of  flowers.  Birds  were  singing  in  the  branches,  and  little 
dwarfs  were  to  be  seen  hurrying  to  and  fro.  They  followed  Laurin 
into  the  dark  entrance  of  his  underground  kingdom.  The  only 
one  of  their  number  who  felt  the  least  distrust  was  Wittich,  who 
had  not  forgotten  the  thrust  of  the  dwarf  king's  spear. 

In  King  Laurin's  Realm. 

A  SOFT  twilight  reigned  in  the  vast  hall  of  the  palace  to  which 
they  now  came.  The  walls  were  of  polished  marble,  inlaid  with 
gold  and  silver.  The  floor  was  formed  of  a  single  agate,  the 
ceiling  of  a  sapphire,  and  from  it  there  hung  shining  carbuncles 
like  stars  in  the  blue  sky  of  night.     All  at  once  it  became  light 


DIETRICH'S  ADVENTURES.  179 

as  day.  The  queen  came  in  surrounded  by  her  maidens.  Her 
girdle  and  necklace  were  jewelled,  and  in  her  coronet  was  a 
diamond  that  shone  like  the  sun,  bringing  the  brightness  of  day 
wherever  it  came.  But  the  lady  herself  was  more  beautiful  than 
aught  else.  None  could  take  their  eyes  off  her  face.  She  seated 
herself  beside  Laurin,  and  signed  to  her  brother  Dietleib  to  sit 
down  at  the  other  side  of  her.  She  embraced  him  and  asked  him 
many  questions  about  her  old  home  and  friends.  By  this  time 
supper  was  ready.  Laurin  was  a  perfect  host,  and  his  guests  were 
soon  quite  at  their  ease.  Even  Wittich  forgot  to  be  suspicious. 
When  the  meal  was  over,  the  dwarf  king  left  the  hall,  and  Dietleib 
seized  the  opportunity  to  ask  his  sister  whether  she  was  willing 
to  remain  in  that  underground  paradise  as  its  queen.  She  an- 
swered with  tears  that  she  could  not  forget  her  home  and  friends ; 
that  she  would  rather  be  a  peasant  girl  in  the  upper  world  than 
a  queen  among  the  dwarfs,  and  that  though  she  must  admit  that 
Laurin  was  very  good  and  kind,  yet  he  was  not  as  other  men. 
Dietleib  then  promised  to  save  her,  or  lose  his  life  in  the  attempt. 

Laurin  now  returned,  and  asked  the  hero  if  he  would  like  to 
retire  to  his  bedchamber.  He  took  him  there,  and  remained 
talking  with  him  for  some  time.  At  last  he  told  him  that  his 
comrades  were  all  condemned  to  death,  and  that  he  had  only 
spared  him  because  he  was  his  brother-in-law. 

"Traitor,  false  dwarf!"  cried  Dietleib.  "I  live  and  die  with 
my  comrades,  but  you  are  in  my  power!" 

He  started  forward,  but  the  dwarf  was  gone,  and  the  door  was 
shut  and  locked  on  the  outside. 

Laurin  then  returned  to  the  hall,  filled  the  goblets  of  the 
warriors  from  a  particular  jar,  and  entreated  them  to  drink  the 
wine,  which  would  insure  them  a  good  night's  rest.  They  did 
so,  and  immediately  their  heads  sank  upon  their  breasts,  and  a 
heavy  drugged  sleep  fell  upon  them.     Then  turning  to  the  queen. 


i8o  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

Laurin  desired  her  to  go  to  her  room,  for  these  men  must  die  in 
punishment  for  the  wreck  they  had  made  of  his  rose-garden ; 
adding  that  her  brother  was  safely  locked  up  in  a  distant  room, 
that  he  might  escape  the  fate  of  his  comrades.  Kiinhild  wept 
aloud,  and  said  that  she  would  die  if  he  carried  out  his  cruel 
purpose.  He  gave  her  no  distinct  answer,  but  reiterated  his 
command. 

As  soon  as  the  queen  had  retired,  he  sounded  his  horn,  and 
immediately  five  giants  and  a  number  of  dwarfs  hurried  into  the 
room.  He  commanded  them  to  bind  the  warriors  so  tight  with 
cords  that  they  could  not  move  when  they  awoke.  After  that  he 
had  them  dragged  to  a  dungeon,  where  they  might  remain  until 
he  should  decide  their  fate  next  morning.  Having  seen  his  orders 
carried  out,  he  went  to  bed,  and  began  to  think  whether  it  would 
be  better  to  let  the  men  off  to  please  the  queen,  or  to  punish  them 
for  their  evil  deed.  The  last  seemed  to  him  the  wiser  plan,  and 
he  fell  asleep,  gloating  over  the  intended  slaughter  of  his  helpless 
victims. 

Dietrich  awoke  soon  after  midnight ;  he  felt  that  he  was  bound 
hand  and  foot,  and  called  to  his  comrades  for  aid  ;  but  they  were 
as  powerless  as  he.  Then  Dietrich's  wrath  was  roused  to  such  a 
pitch,  that  his  fiery  breath  burnt  the  cords  that  bound  one  hand, 
and  left  it  free.  After  that,  it  was  a  matter  of  little  difficulty  to 
untie  the  knots  at  his  wrist  and  feet,  and  then  to  set  his  comrades 
at  liberty.  What  was  to  be  done  now  ?  They  could  not  break 
open  their  dungeon  door.  They  had  neither  weapon  nor  coat  of 
mail.  They  were  helpless  victims.  At  this  very  moment,  while 
they  were  looking  at  each  other  in  despair,  they  were  startled  by 
hearing  a  woman's  voice  asking  in  a  low  whisper  if  they  were  yet 
alive. 

"We  thank  you,  noble  queen,"  answered  Hildebrand,  "we  are 
alive  and  well,  but  totally  unarmed." 


DIETRICH'S  ADVENTURES.  i8i 

So  Kunhild  opened  the  door,  and  appeared  on  the  threshold 
with  her  brother.  She  placed  her  finger  on  her  lips  to  enforce 
silence,  and  led  the  way  to  where  the  heroes'  armour  was  piled. 
As  soon  as  they  were  ready,  the  queen  gave  each  of  them  a  ring, 
by  means  of  which  he  could  see  the  dwarfs,  even  when  they  wore 
their  caps  of  darkness. 

"  Hurrah  !  "  cried  Wolfhart.  "We  can  make  as  much  noise  as 
we  like,  now  that  we  have  our  armour  on,  and  our  weapons  in 
our  hands." 

Laurin,  wakened  by  Wolfhart's  loud  tones,  knew  that  the  pri- 
soners  were  free,  and  at  once  summoned  his  dwarfish  army  to  hiss 
assistance.  The  battle  began,  and  raged  for  a  long  time  without, 
any  advantage  being  gained  by  either  side.  Laurin  was  pleased 
in  his  heart  of  hearts  that  matters  had  turned  out  as  they  had,  for 
he  was  a  bold  little  fellow,  and  liked  open  war  better  than  trickery. 
At  length  the  underground  forces  were  routed  with  great  loss,  and 
Laurin  himself  was  taken  prisoner. 

Dietrich  spared  the  life  of  the  dwarf  king  at  fair  Kiinhild's 
request,  but  deposed  him  from  royal  power,  and  gave  the  mountain 
to  Sintram,  another  dwarf  of  high  rank,  for  a  yearly  tribute.  When 
everything  was  ordered  to  their  liking,  the  heroes  returned  to  Bern, 
taking  Laurin  with  them  as  a  prisoner. 

There  was  great  joy  in  Bern  at  the  return  of  the  heroes,  who 
were  much  praised  for  their  valiant  deeds,  while  the  unfortunate 
Laurin  was  laughed  at  by  all.  There  was  only  one  person  who 
showed  him  any  sympathy,  and  that  was  Kunhild.  One  day  she 
met  him  when  he  was  wandering  about  alone  and  melancholy, 
She  spoke  to  him  kindly,  tried  to  comfort  him,  and  told  him 
he  would  soon  gain  the  king's  friendship  if  he  proved  himself 
to  be  faithful  and  true. 

«Ah,"  he  laughed  bitterly;  "they  think  that  they  have  kicked 
a  dog  who  will  lick  their  hands  ;  but  a  trodden  snake  bites  !     You 


1 82  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

may  know  what  I  intend  to  do.  I  have  sent  to  inform  Walberan, 
my  uncle,  who  rules  over  the  dwarfs  and  giants  from  the  Caucasus 
to  Sinai,  of  what  has  happened,  and  he  is  coming  at  the  head  of 
his  forces  to  be  my  avenger.  He  cannot  fail  to  win  the  day,  slay 
strong  Dietrich  and  his  comrades,  and  lay  the  whole  land  waste. 
When  that  is  done,  I  will  take  you  back  to  my  kingdom,  and 
replant  my  Rose  Garden,  that  it  may  be  lovelier  in  May  than 
it  ever  was  before." 

"  Laurin,"  she  answered,  "you  carried  me  away  from  home  by 
trickery  and  magic  spells  ;  but  I  have  not  been  blind  to  your  love, 
and  feel  myself  honoured  by  its  greatness.  I  cannot  live  in  your 
underground  kingdom,  but  I  will  love  you  and  be  your  queen  in 
the  Rose  Garden,  if  you  will  think  of  love  and  faithfulness,  and  not 
of  revenge." 

She  left  him,  and  he  sat  pondering  the  matter  for  a  long  time. 

A  few  days  afterwards,  Dietrich  came  to  the  Dwarf  King,  and, 
taking  him  by  the  hand,  said,  that  he  had  been  his  prisoner  long 
enough,  that  he  must  now  sit  with  his  comrades,  or  return  to  his 
own  home,  whichever  he  liked  best. 

"And  then,"  continued  the  king,  "I  will  go  with  you  to  your 
Rose  Garden  next  spring,  and  see  it  in  its  beauty." 

The  dwarf  silently  followed  the  king  into  the  hall.  He  sat  at 
Dietrich's  side  at  the  feast,  and  thought  over  the  vengeance  he 
would  take  when  his  uncle  came. 

But  lovely  Kiinhild  appeared  and  filled  his  goblet,  saying  a  few 
kind  words  the  while,  and  immediately  love  conquered  hatred,  and 
he  cried,  emptying  the  goblet  to  the  last  drop, — 

"  Henceforward  I  am  your  faithful  comrade  in  life  and  death." 

Whilst  the  warriors  were  still  at  the  feast,  a  messenger  from 
King  Walberan  came  in,  and  declared  war  on  Dietrich  in  the  name 
of  his  master,  unless  Laurin  were  at  once  restored  to  his  kingdom, 
and  unless  the  hero  of  Bern  sent  Walberan  all  the  money  and  all 


DIETRICH'S  ADVENTURES.  183 


the  weapons  in  the  country,  as  well  as  the  right  hand  and  left  foot 
of  every  warrior  who  had  taken  part  in  the  destruction  of  the  Rose 
Garden. 

Dietrich  answered  proudly,  that  he  intended  to  keep  his  money, 
arms,  hands,  and  feet,  and  those  of  his  subjects  also. 

"And  tell  him,"  added  Laurin,  "that  I  send  him  my  thanks  and 
greeting  for  coming  to  my  assistance,  but  that  I  am  now  free,  and 
have  entered  into  a  bond  of  love  and  friendship  with  the  King  of 
Bern." 

Both  sides  prepared  for  battle,  but  before  a  blow  was  struck, 
Laurin  rode  into  his  uncle's  camp,  and  tried  to  make  peace 
between  Walberan  and  Dietrich.  His  uncle  told  him  he  was  no 
better  than  a  broken-spirited  serf,  and  refused  to  listen  to  his 
words.  So  the  fight  began,  and  raged  furiously  for  many  hours. 
At  length,  late  in  the  afternoon,  Dietrich  and  Walberan  met, 
and  challenged  each  other  to  single  combat.  It  was  a  terrible 
struggle — both  kings  were  severely  wounded,  and  it  seemed  to  the 
onlookers  as  if  both  must  die.  Suddenly  Laurin  threw  himself 
unarmed  between  their  swords,  flung  his  arms  round  King  Wal- 
beran, and  entreated  him  to  make  peace.  Almost  at  the  same 
moment  Hildebrand  did  the  same  by  the  angry  Dietrich,  and  after 
much  expenditure  of  words,  the  peacemakers  had  their  way. 

So  the  fighting  was  changed  to  feasting,  and  the  kings  entered 
into  a  friendly  alliance  at  the  banquet  that  evening.  The  hero  of 
Bern  made  a  long  speech  in  praise  of  Laurin,  who  had  endan- 
gered his  life  in  endeavouring  to  make  peace,  and  to  whom  he 
therefore  restored  the  free  and  independent  rule  over  his  kingdom 
and  Rose  Garden.  When  he  had  finished,  Queen  Virginal  came 
forward,  leading  fair  Kunhild,  and  laid  the  hand  of  the  maiden 
in  that  of  Laurin,  saying  that  she  knew  he  would  regard  her 
reward  of  his  faithfulness  as  the  greatest  he  had  that  day  received  ; 
for  Kunhild  had  promised  to  be  his  wife  if  her  brother  did  not 


1 84  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

object.  As  no  dissentient  voice  was  heard,  the  marriage  was  cele- 
brated there  and  then. 

In  the  May-month  of  the  following  year,  when  the  roses  were 
again  in  bloom,  the  dwarfs  put  the  finishing  touches  to  a  beautiful 
palace,  which  they  had  built  in  the  Rose  Garden.  Many  a  herds- 
man and  Alpine  hunter  has  seen  it ;  but  to  those  who  go  in  search 
of  it  from  mere  curiosity,  it  remains  ever  invisible. 

To  this  day,  Laurin  and  Kiinhild  show  themselves  at  odd  times 
in  the  valleys  of  Tyrol,  and  there  are  people  yet  alive  who  are 
reported  to  have  had  a  distant  glimpse  of  the  wonderful  Rose 
Garden. 


DIETRICH'S  ADVENTURES. 


i8; 


The  Great  Rose  Garden  and 
ILSAN  THE  Monk. 

>IETRICH  was  now  a  man  in  the 
prime  of  life — a  perfect  hero,  and 
man  of  valour.  The  number  of 
his  comrades  had  much  increased,  and  many  doughty  deeds  had 
been  done. 

Once  when  the  king  was  feasting  with  many  of  his  comrades,  he 


l86  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

looked  round  the  table  with  pride,  and  said  he  believed  that  no 
ruler  on  earth  had  such  heroes  about  him,  that  no  other  had  pros- 
pered so  well  as  he  with  the  help  of  his  chosen  comrades,  and 
that  none  might  be  compared  with  them.  The  warriors  shouted 
their  approbation.  One  alone  was  silent.  The  king  turned  to 
"him,  and  asked  whether  in  all  his  journeys  he  had  seen  bolder 
warriors. 

"  That  I  have,"  cried  Herbrand.  "  I  have  seen  some  that  have 
not  their  match  upon  earth.  It  was  at  the  good  town  of  Worms, 
near  the  River  Rhine,  in  the  land  of  Burgundy.  It  is  there  that 
the  great  Rose  Garden  lies — five  miles  long  by  two-and-a-half 
broad.  The  queen  and  her  ladies  tend  it  themselves,  and  twelve 
great  warriors  keep  watch  and  ward  lest  any  one  enter  the  garden 
without  the  queen's  permission.  Whoever  does  so  must  fight  with 
the  guard,  and  no  one  yet,  whether  giant  or  warrior,  has  been  able 
to  withstand  them." 

"  Let  us  go  and  pluck  the  roses  that  have  been  watered  with  the 
blood  of  heroes,"  cried  Dietrich.  "  I  think  that  my  comrades  and  I 
will  get  the  better  of  the  guard." 

"If  you  mean  to  try  your  luck,"  said  Herbrand,  "  you  must  know 
that  the  victor  will  receive  a  kiss  and  a  wreath  of  roses  from 
lovely  women." 

"  Ah,  well,"  said  the  old  master,  "  for  the  sake  of  a  rose  and  a 
woman's  kiss  I  would  not  risk  a  single  hair  of  my  head  or  beard. 
He  who  wishes  to  pluck  roses  or  kiss  women  will  find  enough  at 
Bern  ;  he  need  not  go  to  the  Rhine  to  find  them." 

Trusty  Eckehart  and  a  few  more  of  the  comrades  agreed  with 
him,  for  well  they  knew  what  the  Burgundian  warriors  were  like. 
But  Dietrich  loudly  declared  that  he  was  not  going  to  fight  for  the 
sake  of  roses  and  kisses,  but  for  honour  and  fame;  and  that  if 
his  comrades  did  not  wish  to  go  with  him,  he  could  go  alone.  Oi 
course,  they  would  not  hear  of  that,  and  all  who  were  present  agreed 


DIE  T RICH'S  AD  VENTURES. 


189 


to  go.  The  names  of  those  who  thus  adventured  their  lives  were : 
Dietrich  himself,  Master  Hildebrand,  strong  Wittich,  Henne  called 
the  Grim,  Wolfhart,  the  young  heroes  Siegestab  and  Amelung  (or 
Omlung),  Trusty  Eckehart,  and  Hertnit,  Prince  of  the  Reussen ; 
but  they  only  numbered  nine  in  all,  and  twelve  were  needed 
to  meet  the  twelve  watchmen  of  the  garden.  Hildebrand  knew 
what  was  to  be  done.     He  said, — 

"  Good  Rudiger  of  Bechelaren  will  not  refuse  to  be  the  tenth  ; 
the  eleventh  must  be  brave  Dietleib  of  Styria,  and  the  twelfth 
my  pious  brother,  the  monk  Ilsan." 

They  started  forth  at  once  to  induce  the  chosen  three  to  join 
them.  They  went  first  to  Bechelaren,  in  the  land  of  the  Danube. 
Rudiger  received  them  hospitably,  and  at  once  consented  to  go 
with  them,  but  said  that  he  must  first  get  leave  of  absence  from 
Etzel,  whose  margrave  he  was.  The  heroes  then  went  on  to  Styria 
to  visit  Dietleib.  They  did  not  find  him  at  home,  but  his  father 
Biterolf,  who  was  there,  earnestly  entreated  them  to  give  up  the 
journey  to  the  Rhine,  because,  he  said,  only  a  fool  would  under- 
take a  conflict  for  life  or  death  with  the  world's  bravest  warriors, 
for  the  sake  of  a  rose  and  a  kiss.  But  when  they  met  the  young 
hero  a  short  time  after,  they  found  him  ready  to  go  with  them. 
This  settled,  they  went  on  to  Munchenzell,  the  monastery  to  which 
Hildebrand's  brother  belonged.  As  soon  as  Ilsan  heard  the  object 
of  their  journey,  he  went  straight  to  the  abbot,  and  asked  leave  to 
accompany  the  hero  of  Bern  to  the  Rose  Garden.  The  abbot  told 
him  that  such  was  scarcely  a  monkish  quest,  but  Ilsan  grew  so 
angry,  and  so  loudly  affirmed  that  valiant  deeds  were  in  his  eyes 
as  seemly  for  a  monk  as  for  any  other  man,  that  the  abbot  quailed 
before  him,  and  gave  him  leave  to  go.  So  Ilsan  donned  his 
armour  under  his  monkish  dress,  and  started  with  his  friends.  His 
.heart  beat  high  with  joy  that  he  was  again  bound  on  one  of 
Dietrich's  adventures,  while  his  brother  monks  stood  by  and  shook 


I90  ^  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

their  heads,  saying  they  feared  it  would  not  end  well,  seeing  it  was 
no  saintly  quest,  but  a  worldly. 

The  heroes  went  first  to  Bern,  which  was  to  be  the  general 
meeting-place.  Margrave  Riidiger  was  the  last  to  arrive,  for  he 
had  been  detained  by  his  visit  to  Etzel.  Riidiger  was  now  sent 
on  before  the  others  as  ambassador  to  King  Gibich  at  Worms,  to 
inform  him  of  their  intended  invasion  of  the  Rose  Garden,  The 
Margrave  was  well  known  in  the  Rhineland,  and  was  received  as 
an  old  friend  by  the  king,  who  rejoiced  to  hear  of  his  leader's 
enterprise. 

The  garden  was  entered  on  the  appointed  day,  and  the  warriors 

stood  opposite  each  other  ready  for  battle  ;  twelve  against  twelve, 

and  yet  always  one  against  one.     It  was  a  terrible  sight,  for  many 

a  hero  fell  dying  amongst  the  roses,  and  watered  them  with  his 

heart's  blood.     When  proud  Wolfhart  had  slain  his  adversary,  he 

contemptuously  refused  the  kiss  offered  him  by  a  lovely  maiden, 

and  contented  himself  with  the  garland  of  roses.     The  monk,  Ilsan, 

walked  into  the  lists  on  foot,  clad  in  his  grey  robes.     He  jumped 

about  among  the  roses  with  such  strange  agility  that  his  opponent 

thought  he  had  a  madman  to  deal  with.     But  he  soon  found  that 

his  reverend  foe  was  made  of  sterner  metal  than  he  supposed,  for 

he  lay  vanquished,  a  wiser  man,  though  wounded  almost  to  the 

death.     The  victor  received  the  wreath  of  roses  on  his  tonsured 

head,  but  when  he  kissed  the  lovely  maid  who  gave  it  him,  she 

shrieked  aloud,    for   his   bristly   beard    had    stung  her   rosy   lips. 

Seeing  this,  he  said  with  comical  disgust, — 

"The  maidens  of  Rhineland  are  fair  to  see, 
But  far  too  tender  to  pleasure  me." 

Many  other  heroes  received  the  prize  of  victory,  while  others 
were  severely  wounded.  Peace  was  not  concluded  until  sunset. 
The  brave  hero  of  Bern  soon  afterwards  returned  home,  pleased 
with  the  result  of  his  quest 


IV.  DIETRICH,   THE   FAITHFUL   ALLY. 

March  to  Etzel. 

Tr\IETRICH  lived  in  friendship  with  Etzel,  king  of  the  Huns, 


u 


from  the  time  Rudiger  first  brought  them  together.     When 


the  hero  came  back  from  Burgundy,  he  had  sent  ambassadors 
to  the  king,  and  promised  to  help  him  if  he  was  in  any  difficulty. 
It  was  not  long  before  he  was  reminded  of  this  promise. 

The  Margrave,  who  was  known  in  all  lands  by  the  title  of  the 
good  and  gentle,  came  to  Bern  one  day  as  he  had  often  come 
before,  for  he  was  a  welcome  guest.  On  such  occasions  the 
warriors  would  talk  over  their  past  adventures,  and  tell  tales  of 
noble  and  doughty  deeds.  Rudiger  told  amongst  other  things 
of  his  adventures  in  Spain,  and  how  he  had  at  last  left  that 
country,  and  taken  service  under  King  Etzel,  who  had  always 
been  a  true  friend  to  him  since  the  beginning  of  their  acquaint- 
ance. He  went  on  to  relate  how  King  Etzel,  powerful  monarch 
as  he  then  was,  did  not  shun  to  speak  of  the  hardships  and  home- 
lessness  of  his  early  youth. 

"Yes,  truly,"  interrupted  Master  Hildebrand,  "and  I  know  as 
much  of  his  early  youth  as  ever  the  great  king  himself.  Once 
when  Wilkinus  was  ruler  of  the  Wilkin-men " 

"  Ha !  my  great-grandfather ! "  cried  Wittich.  "  What  have  you 
to  say  of  him  ?  " 


192  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 


"I  only  know,"  continued  the  master,  "that  he  was  a  mighty 
chief,  and  that  many  kings  were  subject  to  him ;  amongst  others, 
King  Hertnit.  After  the  death  of  Wilkinus,  Hertnit  rebelled 
against  his  son  and  heir,  Nordian,  and  forced  the  latter  to  ac- 
knowledge him  as  his  liege  lord.  The  conquered  king  obtained 
the  rule  of  Zealand  in  fief,  and  declared  himself  satisfied,  although 
he  had  four  gigantic  sons,  namely,  Asperian,  Edgar,  Awentrod, 
and  terrible  Widolf  of  the  club,  who  was  always  kept  chained  up, 
because  he  did  so  much  destruction  whenever  he  was  in  a  rage. 
When  great  Hertnit  died,  he  divided  his  kingdom  amongst  his 
three  sons.  Osantrix  (Oserich)  obtained  the  rule  over  the  Wilkin- 
men,  Waldemar  that  over  the  Reussen,  and  Ylias  became  yarl 
of  the  Greeks.  The  eldest  of  the  three  wooed  beautiful  Oda, 
daughter  of  Melias,  king  of  the  Huns.  He  won  her  by  trickery 
and  force,  with  the  help  of  Nordian's  four  giant  sons.  Oda's  father 
and  husband  became  allies  after  the  marriage,  but  they  could  not 
conquer  the  bold  Frisians,  who  often  made  raids  into  the  land 
of  the  Huns,  and  burnt,  destroyed,  or  stole  whatever  they  laid 
their  hands  on.  For  Melias  was  old  and  weak,  and  the  Wilkin- 
men  lived  so  far  away  that  their  help  always  arrived  too  late.  The 
leader  of  these  bold  invaders  was  the  mighty  man  of  valour  now 
known  as  King  Etzel,  or  Attila  as  he  is  sometimes  called.  He 
was  a  son  of  the  Frisian  chieftain  Osid,  and  after  his  father's  death 
had  to  allow  his  brother  Ortnit  to  succeed  to  the  rule  of  Friesland, 
and  himself  go  out  into  the  wide  world,  with  nothing  but  his 
armour  and  a  good  sword.  But  Frisians  are  a  bold  and  warlike 
people.  Many  of  them  joined  themselves  to  the  young  hero,  and 
accompanied  him  in  his  viking  raids  into  the  neighbouring  land 
of  the  Huns.  When  Melias  died,  the  notables  of  the  land  elected 
their  former  enemy,  bold  Etzel,  to  be  their  king,  and  thus  the 
robber  chief  and  invader  became  the  sovereign  and  protector  of 
the  country  he  had  once  laid  waste." 


DIETRICH,    THE  FAITHFUL  ALLY.  193 

"Yes,"  returned  Riidiger,  "that  is  quite  true,  and  there  is 
more  to  tell.  King  Etzel  wished  to  marry  Erka  (Herche  or 
Helche),  the  beautiful  daughter  of  Osantrix,  chief  of  the  Wilkin- 
men.  I  was  sent  as  ambassador  to  her  father,  and  was  well 
received  ;  but  when  I  told  the  king  the  object  of  my  mission,  he 
grew  wrathful,  and  said  that  he  would  never  give  his  consent  to 
such  a  marriage,  for  Etzel  was  not  the  rightful  chief  of  the 
Huns  ;  adding  that  the  position  was  his  by  right  of  his  wife, 
the  daughter  of  Melias.  He  cared  not  when  I  threatened  him 
with  war  ;  but  desired  me  to  go  my  way.  Etzel  invaded  the 
country  with  his  men  ;  and  when,  after  much  fighting,  a  truce  was 
at  last  agreed  to,  neither  side  had  gained  much  advantage. 

"  A  year  later,  I  went  back  with  a  number  of  brave  men,  and 
had  a  strong  castle  built  for  me  in  the  Falster-wood.  This 
done,  I  stained  my  face,  and  otherwise  disguised  by  a  long 
beard,  went  again  to  visit  Osantrix.  I  told  him  I  was  a  faithful 
servant  of  the  late  King  Melias,  that  I  had  been  ill-treated  and 
deprived  of  my  lands  by  Etzel,  and  had  therefore  taken  refuge 
with  him.  This  story  gained  me  his  confidence,  and  having 
occasion  to  send  his  daughter  Erka  a  message,  he  made  me  his 
ambassador,  I  told  the  maiden  of  Etzel's  wooing,  and  how  he 
wished  to  share  his  power  and  glory  with  her.  At  first  she  was 
very  angry,  but  at  last  consented  to  marry  him. 

"  One  moonlight  night,  I  brought  horses  to  the  ga>-es  of  the 
fortress  where  she  was  shut  up  with  her  young  sister ;  broke 
the  bars,  and  carried  off  the  princesses.  We  were  pursued,  but 
managed  to  reach  the  castle  in  the  wood  where  my  men  were 
awaiting  me.  I  had  scarcely  time  to  send  a  message  to  Etzel, 
when  Osantrix  came  upon  us  with  all  his  host  He  laid  siege 
to  our  stronghold ;  but  we  managed  to  defend  ourselves  till 
Etzel  came  with  a  great  army,  and  forced  the  Wilkin- men  to 
withdraw.     Ever  since  then,  there  has  been  a  constant  predatory 

N 


194  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

warfare  between  the  two  nations,  and  Osantrix  has  even  now 
invaded  our  land  with  a  large  army.  He  is  accompanied  by 
Nordian's  giant  sons,  who  are  the  terror  of  our  people.  Now, 
•Qoble  Dietrich,  Etzel  thinks  that  if  you  will  come  and  help  him, 
he  is  sure  of  victory." 

"  Ah  well  I  If  my  dear  comrade  Wildeber  will  go  with  me," 
cried  Wittich,  "I  think  that  we  two  shall  be  able  to  reckon  with 
the  giants." 

Dietrich  promised  his  help,  and  ordered  all  preparations  to  be 
made  for  the  campaign.  The  Bernese  heroes  arrived  just  in  time, 
for  the  two  armies  were  standing  opposite  each  other  in  battle 
array.     The  fight  began. 

Dietrich  and  his  men  took  up  their  position  in  the  centre  divi- 
sion. The  Amelung  banner,  borne  by  Herbrand,  floated  proudly 
above  their  heads,  and  Wittich  rushed  foremost  into  the  fray.  He 
first  encountered  the  grim  giant  Widolf,  who  gave  him  a  blow  on 
the  helmet  with  his  iron  club.  The  dragon  that  formed  the  top  of 
the  helmet  was  bent  by  the  terrible  blow,  and  although  Wieland's 
work  did  not  break,  the  hero  himself  fell  from  his  horse,  and  lay 
senseless  on  the  ground.  Over  him  rushed  the  men-at-arms  in 
the  wild  melie.  Heime  alone  drew  rein.  He  stooped,  and  drew 
the  sword  Mimung  out  of  Wittich's  hand,  for  he  held  him  to  be 
dead.  When  the  wild  fight  was  over  and  done,  the  Wilkin-men 
retreated  from  the  field,  and  the  Huns  pursued  them,  plundering 
where  they  could.  Hertnit,  nephew  of  Osantrix,  reached  the 
battle-field  too  late.  He  could  not  prevent  his  uncle's  defeat, 
but  he  found  Wittich,  as  yet  scarcely  recovered  from  his  swoon, 
and  took  him  prisoner. 

The  victors  feasted  at  Susat,  and  rejoiced  over  their  great 
deeds ;  but  Dietrich  was  sad  at  heart,  for  he  had  lost  sixty  of 
his  men  ;  and,  worst  than  all,  his  friend  and  comrade,  Wittich,  was 
among  the  missing.     In  vain  had  they  sought  him  on  the  battle- 


DIETRICH,    THE  FAITHFUL  ALLY.'  195 

field.  All  wondered  what  had  become  of  him.  When  the  king 
of  Bern,  richly  rewarded  for  his  help  by  Etzel,  made  ready  for 
his  departure,  Wildeber  came  to  him,  and  asked  for  leave  of 
absence,  because  he  would  not,  could  not,  go  home  without 
Wittich.  Dietrich  willingly  gave  his  consent,  for  he  could  not 
help  the  foolish  hope  springing  up  within  his  breast  that  per- 
haps Wittich  might  be  yet  alive,  and  that  his  friend  might  find 
him. 

The  next  day,  Wildeber  went  out  hunting,  and  slew  a  bear  of 
unusual  size.  He  skinned  it,  and  went  with  the  skin  to  Isung, 
the  minstrel,  and  arranged  with  him  a  plan  to  free  Wittich,  should 
he  be  a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  Osantrix.  Isung  helped  him  to 
draw  the  skin  over  his  armour,  and  fasten  it  up  carefully ;  then 
led  him  in  the  guise  of  a  dancing  bear  to  the  stronghold  of  the 
chief  of  the  Wilkin-men. 

Now  wandering  players  and  merry-andrews,  of  every  sort, 
were  welcome  guests  in  all  castles  and  cottages,  so  Isung  and 
his  bear  were  well  received. 

Osantrix  laughed  heartily  at  the  marvellous  agility  of  the 
creature  in  dancing  and  springing  to  the  sound  of  the  fiddle,  and 
even  Widolf,  the  grim  gvint,  who  was  led  about  with  a  chain  by 
his  brother  Awentrod,  laughed  for  the  first  time  in  his  life, 
making  the  halls  shake  with  the  sound.  Suddenly  it  occurred 
to  the  king  that  it  would  enhance  the  sport  to  set  his  twelve 
boar-hounds  on  the  bear,  to  see  how  strong  it  was. 

Isung  vainly  entreated  the  king  to  forbear  the  cruel  sport, 
alleging  that  his  tame  bear  was  worth  more  to  him  than  all  the 
gold  in  the  royal  treasury  ;  but  Osantrix  was  not  to  be  persuaded. 
The  great  dogs  were  loosed,  and  the  barbarous  sport  began.  To 
the  astonishment  of  all,  the  boar-hounds  were  either  worried  or 
smitten  to  death  by  the  bear. 

Osantrix  sprang  angrily  to  his  feet,  and  slashed  at  the  creature's 


196  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

shoulder  with  his  sword ;  but  the  steel  armour  under  inside  the 
bear-skin  saved  the  hero's  life.  Another  moment,  and  the  bear 
had  wrenched  the  sword  from  the  king's  hand,  and  split  his  head 
open.  The  second  blow  did  to  death  grim  Widolf,  the  third  his 
brother  Awentrod.  Isung  stood  staunchly  by  his  friend  when 
the  Wilkin-men  sought  to  avenge  their  king.  The  courtiers,  how- 
ever, soon  took  flight  in  deadly  fear  of  the  player  and  his  wild 
beast. 

Wildeber  now  threw  off  the  bear-skin,  took  the  helmet  off 
one  of  the  giants,  and  fully  armed,  set  out  in  search  of  Wittich. 
The  heroes  searched  the  palace.  They  found  Wittich's  good 
steed  Skeming,  and  his  armour ;  but  neither  him  nor  the  sword 
Mimung  could  they  discover. 

At  length  they  lighted  on  him  in  a  damp,  dark  dungeon, 
chained  to  a  wall,  and  grown  so  pale  and  thin  as  to  be  hardly 
recognisable.  Fresh  air,  food,  and  wine  soon  made  a  change  in 
his  appearance.  He  put  on  his  armour,  and  sadly  took  another 
sword,  saying  that  none  could  be  as  good  as  Mimung. 

"  Now  let  us  begone,"  said  Isung,  "  lest  the  Wilkin-men  should 
come  back." 

So  Wildeber  and  he  helped  themselves  to  horses  from  the 
royal  stables,  and  the  three  heroes  galloped  away. 

"  Of  a  truth,"  cried  King  Etzel,  when  he  heard  their  story, 
"you  are  bold  men.  You  have  done  me  good  service,  and  have 
brought  the  war  to  an  end  unaided.  The  lord  of  Bern  is  richer 
than  I,  In  that  he  has  comrades  who  willingly  venture  their  own 
lives  to  serve  a  brother-in-arms." 

He  kept  the  heroes  for  several  days  to  recruit  their  strength, 
and  then  sent  them  home  laden  with  rich  gifts. 

Dietrich  was  overjoyed  to  see  his  brave  warriors  again,  and 
showed  them  honour  in  many  ways  ;  but  noticing  that  trusty 
Wittich  was  silent,  and  had  no  appetite  for  wine  or   food,   he 


DIETRICH,    THE  FAITHFUL  ALLY.  197 

asked  him  what  ailed  him.  And  Wittich  answered  that  he 
sorrowed  for  the  loss  of  Mimung,  his  father's  best  gift,  and 
would  go  in  search  of  it  though  he  had  to  wander  through 
every  land. 

"I  have  a  notion  that  you  need  not  take  so  long  a  journey," 
replied  the  king,  "  for  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  the  sword 
Heime  wears  is  as  like  Wieland's  work  as  one  drop  of  blood  is 
like  another." 

The  conversation  was  interrupted  by  the  arrival  of  two  warriors 
in  rich  armour,  who  had  been  sent  by  the  Emperor  Ermenrich, 
Dietrich's  uncle,  to  tell  the  hero  that  Yarl  Rimstein,  his  vassal 
in  a  great  fief,  had  revolted  against  his  authority.  Ermenrich, 
therefore,  entreated  his  nephew's  aid,  and  Dietrich  promised  to 
help  the  emperor. 

March  against  Rimstein. 

Before  starting,  Wittich  said  that  he  could  not  go  to  Rimstein 
without  his  sword,  and  Heime  refused  to  give  it  up,  alleging 
that  it  was  his  by  right  of  war ;  but  the  king  smoothed  matters 
for  the  time  by  desiring  Heime  to  lend  it  to  his  comrade  during 
the  campaign. 

The  warriors  set  out.  The  rebel  yarl  proved  himself  a  tougher 
foe  than  had  been  expected,  and  even  after  weeks  and  months 
had  passed,  his  castle  seemed  as  impregnable  as  ever. 

One  moonlight  night  when  Wittich  was  out  alone,  he  met  six 
warriors  whom  he  knew,  by  the  device  upon  their  shields,  to 
belong  to  the  enemy.  They  fought,  and  Wittich  slew  their  chief, 
his  sword  Mimung  cutting  him  in  two  from  the  neck  to  the 
waist.  The  other  five  fled  in  terror,  lest  a  like  fate  should  befal 
them.  On  examining  the  dead  man,  Wittich  found  it  was  the 
Varl  himself  that  he  had  slain,  so  he  returned  to  the  camp  well 


198  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 


pleased.     Next  morning  he  told  Dietrich  and  his  comrades  what 
had  chanced,  and  how  the  war  was  now  at  an  end. 

"  He  is  indeed  a  bold  warrior,"  said  Heime  sarcastically ;  "  he 
has  slain  a  weak  eld  man,  who  could  not  defend  himself  a  bit 
better  than  a  woman.  But  now,  I  must  have  Mimung  back  again, 
for  I  only  lent  it  for  this  enterprise." 

"Let  me  first  try  it  on  your  head,  false  comrade,"  answered 
Wittich  indignantly.  "You  left  your  brother-in-arms  to  die  in  a 
strange  land,  and  were  traitor  enough  to  rob  him  of  his  weapon 
of  defence  as  well.  You  shall  now  pay  the  penalty  of  your 
meanness." 

Heime  drew  his  sword  Nagelring,  and  a  fight  was  imminent ; 
but  Dietrich  thrust  himself  between  the  angry  men,  and  com- 
manded them  on  their  allegiance  to  keep  the  peace. 

Ermenrich  rejoiced  to  hear  of  Wittich's  deed,  and  that  the  war 
was  at  an  end.  He  gave  rich  presents  to  Dietrich  and  his  men, 
and  asked  the  royal  hero  to  give  Wittich  leave  of  absence,  that 
he  might  marry  fair  Bolfriana,  the  emperor's  ward,  and  undertake 
the  government  of  her  rich  fief  of  Drachenfels  (the  "Trekanfil" 
of  Norse  legend).  Dietrich  was  pleased  at  his  comrade's  good 
fortune,  and  at  parting,  he  merely  reminded  him  of  his  oath  of 
fidelity,  which  the  hero  at  once  renewed. 

Not  long  afterwards  Wittich  was  married  to  Bolfriana,  and 
was  endowed  by  the  emperor  with  the  great  fief  of  Drachenfels, 
which  extends  to  Fritilaburg  (Friedburg  i"),  and  far  beyond  the 
eastern  mountains.  So  Wittich  became  a  mighty  chief,  as  he 
had  told  his  father  that  he  would.  Pleime  also,  when  his  father 
Studas  died,  went  to  Ermenrich's  court  to  take  the  oath  of  al- 
legiance. He  received  other  lands  from  his  imperial  master,  and, 
what  he  liked  still  better,  much  red  gold  besides. 


THE  HA R LUNGS. 


199 


V.  ERMENRICH  TURNS 
AGAINST  THE  HERO 
OF    BERN. 

The  Harlungs. 
RMENRICH   had   a  great   and 


mighty  empire.  His  lands 
stretched  out  to  the  east  and  west,  and  many  kings  owed  him 
fealty.  His  counsellors  were  wise  and  clear-headed  men,  whose 
advice  was  of  the  utmost  use  to  him.  Chief  among  these  was 
Sibich,  the  marshal  of  the  realm,  who  was  helped  in  ?iis  arduous 
labours  by  Ribestein,  the  head  of  the  royal  household,  and  his 
constant  companion.  These  men  had  always  used  their  influence 
with  the  emperor  to  keep  him  true  to  his  alliance  with  his 
nephew,   the   king   of   Bern,   of  whom,   in   his  heart  of   hearts. 


200  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

his  imperial  highness  was  not  a  little  jealous.  But  a  great 
change  was  soon  to  take  place  in  the  policy  pursued  at  Roma- 
burg. 

Sibich  had  a  young  and  beautiful  wife,  of  whom  he  was  very 
fond.  Now  Ermenrich  once  sent  him  away  on  a  long  journey, 
and  during  his  absence  did  him  foul  wrong.  When  the  marshal 
returned,  and  heard  from  his  weeping  wife  of  the  emperor's 
treachery,  he  was  filled  with  wrath.  At  first,  he  snatched  up  a 
dagger  to  kill  his  foe,  but  restrained  himself,  for  he  had  thought 
of  a  subtler  mode  of  vengeance.  He  desired  to  make  the 
emperor  the  murderer  of  every  member  of  his  family,  to  deprive 
him  of  all  his  allies,  and  finally  have  him  assassinated.  It  was 
a  plan  worthy  of  the  devil  himself,  and  was  carried  out  with  great 
craft  and  intelligence. 

Sibich's  first  step  was  to  buy  over  Ribestein  to  his  design, 
which  he  did  for  a  large  sum  of  money,  avarice  being  the  man's 
weak  point.  This  done,  Ribestein  agreed  to  write  letters  to  the 
emperor  as  if  from  the  duke  of  Tuscany,  the  count  of  Ancona, 
the  prince  of  Milan,  and  others,  warning  him  that  his  son  Friedrich 
was  plotting  against  him. 

The  evil  deed  was  easily  accomplished,  as  Ribestein  had  copies 
of  all  the  coats  of  arms  and  seals  used  by  the  grandees  of  the 
empire.  Ermenrich  was  naturally  of  a  suspicious  disposition,  so 
he  readily  fell  into  the  snare  laid  for  him.  He  consulted  Sibich 
as  to  what  were  best  to  be  done,  and  the  false  counsellor  advised 
him  to  send  Prince  Friedrich  with  a  letter  to  Yarl  Randolt, 
ostensibly  to  demand  payment  of  the  tribute  the  yarl  owed,  but 
really  containing  an  order  that  the  prince  should  be  slain.  The 
emperor  did  as  he  was  advised,  and  Sibich  took  care  that  the 
deed  should  become  generally  known.  A  cry  of  horror  went 
through  the  land,  and  Ermenrich  was  hated  by  all. 

Reginbald,  the  second  son,  met  his  death  in  a  different  fashion  : 


THE  HARLUNGS.  201 


he  went  down  in  the  rotten  ship  in  which  his  father  had  sent 
him  on  a  pretended  mission  to  England. 

One  son  alone  remained,  Randwer,  the  third  and  youno-est, 
a  high-spirited,  handsome  youth,  in  whom  there  was  no  guile. 
That  helped  him  nothing,  however.  One  day,  in  the  innocence 
of  his  heart,  he  gave  his  young  step-mother  Swanhild  a  bunch 
of  flowers,  when  they  were  out  hunting  with  the  whole  court, 
and  Ermenrich,  whose  mind  had  been  poisoned  by  false  Sibich, 
ordered  Swanhild  to  be  trampled  under  foot  by  horses,  and 
Randwer  to  be  hung.  His  commands  were  obeyed.  He  was 
now  alone  in  the  world,  a  childless  old  man. 

"Well,  Ribestein,"  said  the  marshal  to  his  accomplice,  "we 
are  getting  on  very  well.  The  emperor's  only  remaining  heirs 
are  the  Harlungs,  Imbreke  and  Fritele,  who  live  at  Breisach, 
on  the  Rhine,  with  their  governor  Eckehart ;  and  then  Dietrich 
of  Bern.  The  Harlungs  and  the  hero  are  both  brother's  children. 
You  were  not  born  and  brought  up  in  Romaburg,  so  I  will  tell 
you  the  story. 

"  Ermenrich's  grandfather  left  two  sons  besides  him — namely, 
Dietmar,  the  father  of  Dietrich,  who  received  the  kingdom  of 
Lombardy,  and  Dieter,  surnamed  Harlung,  who  during  his 
father's  lifetime  received  the  Breisgau  and  an  enormous  hoard 
of  red  gold.  Now  listen  to  this.  If  we  can  only  get  rid  of  the 
Harlungs  and  the  hero  of  Bern — yes,  open  your  eyes  and  ears 
as  wide  as  you  can — you  and  I  can  divide  between  us  the  in- 
heritance of  Ermenrich  !  " 

Ribestein  jumped  at  the  proposal  as  a  fish  jumps  out  of  the 
water  with  joy  on  a  bright  day.  He  had  never  thought  of  such 
a  thing  before  ;  but  he  quickly  understood  what  was  required 
of  him,  and  set  about  the  evil  work  at  once. 

The  Harlungs  were  first  brought  under  suspicion.  Letters 
were    shown   to   the   emperor   purporting  to   be   from    Imbreke, 


202  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

Fritele,  and  even  from  their  governor  Eckehart,  addressed  to 
different  notables  of  the  empire,  and  setting  forth  Ermenrich's 
crimes  in  the  darkest  colours.  One  of  the  letters  contained  the 
following  passage:  "Since  our  liege  lord  has,  in  his  desperatj 
wickedness,  slain  his  own  children,  he  must  himself  perish,  and 
that  on  the  highest  gallows."  The  emperor  was  so  angry  when 
he  read  these  words,  that  he  determined  to  collect  an  army,  and 
march  against  his  rebellious  nephews. 

The  troops  were  called  out  without  any  one  knowing  against 
whom  the  campaign  was  to  be  made.  They  marched  towards 
the  Rhine  till  they  reached  Tralenburg,  which  belonged  to  the 
Harlungs  and  where  the  brothers  then  lived.  Two  horsenicn 
kept  watch  by  the  river.  When  they  saw  the  armed  men,  they 
feared  something  was  wrong,  and,  dismounting,  swam  with  their 
horses  across  the  river.  They  gave  the  alarm,  and  all  was 
prepared  for  defence.  Imbreke  and  Fritele  knew  the  science  of 
war  ;  but  they  were  still  very  young,  and  Eckehart,  their  governor, 
was  detained  at  Breisach  by  business  of  the  state.  When  the 
Harlungs  saw  their  uncle's  banner,  they  thought  all  danger  was 
over ;  but  soon  found  to  their  cost  that  it  was  a  warlike  and 
not  a  peaceful  visit,  Wittich  and  Heime  were  with  the  imperial 
army  ;  but  as  soon  as  they  learnt  Ermenrich's  plans  they  rode 
away  to  Breisach  to  warn  the  faithful  Eckehart  of  what  was 
going  on.  As  they  journeyed  together,  they  became  good  friends 
again.  , 

Tralenburg  was  at  length  reduced  by  fire  and  taken  by  storm. 
Without  seeing  his  nephews,  Ermenrich  ordered  a  gallows  to 
be  erected,  and  the  two  brothers  to  be  at  once  hung  thereon. 
In  those  days  the  word  of  a  mighty  potentate  was  law,  and  the 
emperor  was  obeyed  without  remonstrance.  Ermenrich  now  took 
possession  of  the  Harlungs'  land,  and  sent  out  men  to  search 
for  the  rich  hoard  the  murdered  princes  had  inherited  from  their 


THE  HARLUNGS.  203 


father.  It  was  at  length  found  hidden  in  a  cave.  The  emperor 
rewarded  his  army  richly,  and  kept  the  rest  of  the  treasure-trove 
for  himself. 

Meanwhile  Heime  had  returned.  He  had  come  back  intend- 
ing to  reproach  his  liege  lord  with  his  evil  deed,  and  to  throw 
up  his  fief.  But  on  receiving  a  large  share  of  the  booty,  he  forgot 
his  better  purpose.  He  was  entrusted  with  the  care  of  taking 
the  treasure  to  Romaburg.  When  he  saw  the  heap  of  red  gold 
and  precious  stones,  he  took  care  that  a  considerable  portion  of 
it  should  find  its  way  to  Studa's  grange,  and  not  to  Romaburg. 
Meanwhile  curses  both  loud  and  deep  were  uttered  in  every  land 
against  the  emperor.  Eckehart  brought  the  news  of  the  Harlungs' 
fate  to  Bern,  and  Dietrich's  wrath  burned  when  he  heard  it.  He 
said  the  time  would  surely  come  when  he  could  demand  expia- 
tion from  Ermenrich,  and  punish  his  evil  counsellors  Sibich  and 
Ribestein.  The  fiery  young  heroes  Alphar  and  his  brother 
Sigestab  wished  to  start  at  once  alone  with  Eckehart  to  avenge 
the  murder.  But  their  father  Amelolt  and  Hildebrand  persuaded 
them  to  wait. 

"  What  is  only  put  off  may  yet  be  done,"  said  Alphar  to  his 
brother,  laying  his  hand  upon  his  sword. 

Somewhere  about  this  time  Sibich  and  Ribestein  met  to  hold 
counsel  as  to  what  they  should  do  next. 

"  Another  stone  is  out  of  the  way,"  said  Sibich ;  "  now  we 
must  try  to  find  levers  strong  enough  to  move  the  great  rock 
that  stands  in  our  way." 

The  accomplices  felt  that  they  must  be  careful  and  not  push 
matters  too  fast,  for,  in  the  first  place,  the  emperor's  own  soul 
was  darkened  by  the  crimes  he  had  committed,  and  whenever  he 
was  alone  he  was  haunted  by  the  unsubstantial  ghosts  of  those 
whose  death  he  had  compassed, — and,  in  the  second  place,  before 
declaring    war  upon   the    hero  of  Bern,    they    felt    it   would  be 


204  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

safer  to  gain  over  as  many  as  possible  of  his  comrades  to  their 
side.  But  they  were  hurried  on  faster  than  they  wished,  for 
Ermenrich's  uneasy  conscience  would  not  let  him  rest — he  must 
have  excitement. 

The  first  step  taken  was  to  demand  tribute  of  Dietrich  of 
Bern.  So  Reinhold  of  Milan  was  sent  into  the  land  of  the 
Amelungs  to  levy  the  tribute.  The  messenger  returned  in  a 
few  weeks*  time  with  empty  hands.  He  said  that  the  notables 
had  flatly  refused  to  pay  what  he  demanded,  for  they  had  already 
paid  it  to  the  lord  of  Bern.  And  Dietrich  had  desired  him  to 
tell  the  murderer  of  the  Harlungs  to  come  himself  and  take  the 
tribute,  which  would  be  paid  him  to  the  last  mark  at  the  spear's 
point  and  the  sword's  edge. 

The  emperor  sent  Heime  to  Bern  to  tell  Dietrich  that  if  he 
did  not  pay  the  tax,  he  would  come  in  person  and  hang  him  on 
the  highest  gallows. 

Heime  was  well  received  in  Bern.  Dietrich  thought  that  he  had 
come  in  memory  of  old  times,  but  when  he  delivered  the  emperor's 
message,  the  hero  asked  him  if  he  remembered  his  old  oath  of 
fidelity  ;  to  which  Heime  replied  that  he  had  served  out  his  bond, 
that  he  was  now  a  vassal  of  the  emperor,  who  had  given  him  land 
and  gold,  and  to  whom  he  therefore  owed  service.  Therewith 
he  took  his  leave. 

Heime  was  not  long  gone,  when  Wittich  appeared.  He  galloped 
up  to  the  castle  gate. 

"Arm,  comrades,  arm!"  he  cried,  "there  is  not  a  moment  to 
lose.  Ermenrich  approaches  with  an  innumerable  army.  I  rode 
on  before  to  warn  you  of  his  coming.  Faithless  Sibich  intended 
to  have  taken  you  by  surprise,  and  whoever  falls  into  his  hands 
is  not  far  from  death." 

Dietrich  reminded  him  of  his  oath,  but  like  Heime  he  excused 
himself,  and  rode  away. 


THE  HARLUNGS.  205 


The  Norns  appeared  at  this  time  to  have  thrown  their  darkest 
web  over  the  head  of  the  hero  of  Bern.  One  blow  struck  him 
after  another.  From  Wittich  he  hastened  to  the  sick  queen 
Virginal.  All  night  long  he  held  her  in  his  arms.  In  the 
morning  she  died,  and  grief  for  her  loss  prevented  his  acting  with 
the  quick  determination  usual  to  him.  Master  Hildebrand,  how- 
ever, was  not  idle.  He  had  summoned  all  the  vassals  with  their 
following  from  far  and  wide  in  the  land  of  the  Amelungs.  And 
the  night  before  the  queen's  death,  many  allied  princes  joined 
them  ;  amongst  the  number,  Berchtung  of  Pola  (in  Istria),  and 
the  king's  faithful  comrade,  Dietleib  of  Styria,  with  all  their 
men. 

In  the  morning  the  old  master  called  the  king,  and  told  him 
that  the  time  was  come  to  fight  for  his  land  and  people.  The 
hero  of  Bern  made  a  mighty  effort  to  master  his  grief.  He  pressed 
a  last  kiss  on  the  pale  lips  of  his  dead  wife,  and  passed  away 
on  his  march  to  the  great  battle. 

The  emperor  had  already  subdued  the  duke  of  Spoleto,  and  had 
advanced  as  far  north  as  Milan.  There  he  encamped,  and  not 
suspecting  any  surprise,  he  and  his  men  all  went  to  sleep.  Mean- 
while Dietrich  had  arrived  within  a  short  distance  of  his  camp. 
While  the  others  rested,  Hildebrand  rode  forward  to  see  what 
watch  the  enemy  kept,  and  finding  them  unprepared,  he  advised 
an  immediate  onslaught. 

The  imperial  forces  were  suddenly  aroused  by  the  battle  cry, 
"  Hey  for  Bern !  Hey  for  the  red  lion ! "  They  hastily  got  ready 
for  the  fray.  The  battle  raged  furiously.  Dietrich  and  his 
followers  were  far  outnumbered  by  the  foe,  but  that  only  made 
them  fight  with  the  more  desperation.  And  which  of  them  could 
have  failed  to  do  his  duty  under  such  a  leader  } 

Wolfhart  cried,  "  If  we  must  die,  let  each  man  throw  his  shield 
behind  him,  and  take  his  sword  in  both  hands." 


2o6  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 


He  did  as  he  said,  and  Sigestab  and  Eckehart  followed  his 
example. 

Wittich  and  Heime  fought  bravely  as  of  old,  but  they  avoided 
their  former  chief,  and  were  at  length  carried  away  in  the  general 
flight  For  the  imperial  troops  were  routed  by  a  flank  movement 
made  by  Hildebrand. 

Ermenrich  went  back  to  Romaburg  in  a  very  bad  humour.  He 
felt  inclined  to  hang  Sibich  and  Ribestein  for  leading  him  into 
a  scrape,  yet  he  refrained,  as  he  hardly  knew  what  he  could  have 
done  without  them. 

Dietrich  sent  the  treasure  gained  in  Milan  home  to  Bern  under 
the  charge  of  some  of  his  comrades,  and  Berchtung  of  Pola 
undertook  to  provide  pack-horses  on  which  to  convey  it.  The 
convoy  travelled  by  forced  marches,  but  when  they  reached  the 
lake  of  Garden,  and  saw  the  stars  mirrored  in  its  bosom,  and  heard 
the  plashing  of  the  waterfall,  Amelolt  thought,  that  being  in  the 
land  of  the  Wolfings,  they  need  no  longer  fear  robbers,  and  might 
enjoy  a  little  needful  rest.  The  wearied  men  hailed  his  proposition 
with  joy,  and,  after  supping  on  the  provisions  in  their  wallets,  soon 
fell  asleep  on  the  soft  turf  Hildebrand  with  ten  of  his  followers 
tried  to  keep  awake,  but  they  were  so  tired  that  the  sound  of  the 
murmuring  water  acted  on  them  like  a  lullaby,  and  soon  they  were 
sleeping  as  soundly  as  the  rest. 

At  daybreak  they  were  roughly  wakened.  Wild  faces  glared 
upon  them,  strong  hands  bound  them,  and  scornful  laughter 
echoed  in  their  ears.  Four  of  the  warriors,  who  had  sought  to 
defend  themselves  sword  in  hand,  were  cut  down.  The  others 
were  all  bound  and  carried  away  with  the  treasure. 

They  had  not  been  prisoners  long  before  the  comrades  saw  that 
they  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  their  deadly  enemy — faithless 
Sibich.  He  had  heard  of  their  journey  in  charge  of  the  treasure, 
and  had  brought  his  troops  by  sea  to  Garden,  had  lain  in  wait 


THE  HARLUNGS.  207 


near  the  lake,  and  had  then  fallen  upon  the  sleeping  men.  Thus 
it  was  that  the  brave  heroes  were  conquered  by  cunning. 

One  warrior  had  escaped  the  common  misfortune,  and  this  was 
Dietleib,  the  hero  of  Styria,  He  was  sleeping  in  a  thicket  a  little 
apart  from  the  rest,  when  Sibich's  men  fell  on  the  camp.  Hearing 
the  noise,  he  sprang  to  his  feet,  slew  several  of  the  men-at-arms, 
mounted  his  horse  and  fled  to  Bern,  a  bearer  of  sad  tidings.  He 
found  every  one  there  in  great  anxiety.  Ermenrich  had  again 
invaded  the  country,  had  taken  Milan,  Raben  (Ravenna),  and 
Mantua,  and,  worse  than  that,  many  of  Dietrich's  men  had  deserted 
him,  and  joined  the  enemy. 

The  warriors  who  preserved  their  faith,  and  were  determined 
to  die  with  their  lord  if  needful,  were  few  in  number.  A  message 
was  sent  to  Ermenrich  that  the  hero  of  Bern  was  willing  to 
exchange  his  prisoners  of  war  for  his  brave  comrades.  The 
answer  he  received  was,  that  he  might  do  with  his  prisoners  as 
he  liked — the  warriors  the  emperor  had  taken  were  all  condemned 
to  be  hanged.  This  was  the  worst  news  Dietrich  had  ever 
heard. 

Then  the  lady  Ute,  Hildebrand's  high-hearted  wife,  arose,  and, 
accompanied  by  other  noble  ladies,  went  to  the  enemy's  camp  and 
entered  the  presence  of  Ermenrich.  She  offered  him  in  exchange 
for  the  prisoners  Sibich  had  just  made,  all  her  jewels,  and  those 
of  all  the  other  women  and  maidens  of  Bern.  Ermenrich  told  her 
harshly  that  what  she  offered  him  was  his  already,  and  that  if  the 
king  wished  his  comrades  to  be  set  free,  he  and  they  must  leave 
the  country  as  beggars,  on  foot,  and  leading  their  horses. 

Hildebrand's  wife  could  not  bear  to  hear  that.  She  had  fallen 
on  her  knees  before  the  emperor  ;  but  now  she  rose,  and  told  him 
proudly  that  the  heroes  of  Bern  and  their  wives  knew  how  to  die, 
but  not  how  to  leave  their  country  in  dishonour.  The  women  left 
the  camp  in  deep  sorrow 


2o8  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

When  Dietrich  heard  the  bad  news,  he  had  a  long  struggle  with 
himself.  He  had  been  victorious  before  with  smaller  numbers 
to  support  him,  but  victory  was  always  uncertain,  and  how  could 
he  allow  his  dear  old  master,  and  noble  Berchtung,  brave 
Wolfhart,  Amelolt,  Sigeband,  Helmschrot,  and  Lindolt,  to  die 
a  shameful  death  ?  It  was  a  hard  struggle.  At  length  he  bowed 
his  head  to  necessity.     He  consented  to  Ermenrich's  terms. 

On  being  set  free  from  prison,  his  comrades  received  their  horses 
and  arms  again,  and  then  they,  and  other  faithful  souls,  three 
and  forty  men  in  all,  accompanied  their  lord  on  his  sad  journey. 
There  was  not  a  dry  eye  in  Bern  when  the  king  went  away,  and 
even  in  foreign  lands  the  fate  of  Dietrich  and  his  comrades  was 
spoken  of  with  bated  breath. 

The  heroes  would  not  mount  their  horses  when  they  had  crossed 
the  borders  of  the  imperial  domains,  for  the  king  walked  on 
unheeding  over  the  wild  mountain  roads.  So  the  small  band 
of  brave  men  wandered  through  the  beautiful  Danubian  land, 
and  approached  Bechelaren,  where  Margrave  Rudiger  held  court. 
There  they  received  a  brotherly  welcome. 

One  day,  when  they  had  been  some  time  at  Bechelaren, 
Dietrich,  who  had  been  thinking  of  the  contrast  between  his 
desolated  home  and  the  smiling  land  he  saw  before  him,  said, 
with  a  deep  sigh,  that  everywhere  around  him  was  peace  and 
unity,  and  he  would  like  to  remain  there  for  ever  and  forget  his 
woes. 

Wolfhart  reproached  him  vehemently  for  wishing  to  forget  his 
home,  adding,  "  If  that  is  the  case,  I  shall  go  back  and  fight  till 
my  last  drop  of  blood  is  shed." 

"  Not  so  fast,  young  hero,"  answered  the  Margrave,  "  King  Etzel 
owes  thanks  for  the  help  once  granted  him.  I  will  go  with  you 
to  the  court  at  Susat,  and  am  certain  that  he  will  help  you  to 
regain  the  land  of  the  Amelungs." 


WALTER  AND  HILDEGUNDE. 


209 


WALTER   AND   HILDEGUNDE  TAKEN   AS   HOSTAGES   BY  THE   HUNS. 

VI.   KING   ETZEL.   WALTER  OF  WASGENSTEIN, 
AND   HILDEGUNDE. 

\7[  THEN  Etzel  became  king  of  the  Huns,  he  was  the 
*  ^  mightiest  of  all  chieftains,  but  his  lust  of  power  was  not 
satisfied.  He  collected  a  great  army,  and  falling  upon  the  land 
of  the  Franks,  demanded  tribute  with  threats  of  devastation. 
The  Frankish  king  was  unprepared  to  defend  himself,  so  he 
paid  large  sums  of  money,  and  gave  as  hostage  for  his  good 
faith,  the  boy  Hagen  of  Tronje  (Tronege).  His  own  son  was 
too  young,  being  yet  in  the  cradle. 

The  Huns  went  on  to  Burgundy,  where  they  also  levied 
tribute,  and  received  as  hostage  the  king's  daughter  Hilde- 
gunde,  a  child  of  four  years  old.  They  were  equally  successful 
with  King  Alphar  of  Aquitaine,  who  paid  them  much  red  gcJd, 
and  gave  them  his  young  son  Walter  as  hostage. 

Hagen  and  Walter  early  showed  great  warlike  ability.  They 
learnt  from  the  Huns  to  ride,  throw  the  spear,  and  fight  after 

O 


2TO  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 


the  German  fashion,  and  few  could  equal  them  in  manly  sports. 
Hildegunde  became  very  lovely,  and  was  a  great  favourite  with 
the  queen.  Time  went  on,  and  these  young  people  all  grew  up. 
Helche  advised  her  husband  to  marry  Hagen  and  Walter  to 
Hunnish  maidens  of  high  degree,  so  as  to  confirm  them 
in  their  devotion  to  himself,  and  their  adopted  country ;  but 
the  youths  did  not  admire  the  beauties  of  that  nation,  whose 
blubber- lips  did  not  provoke  a  kiss.  Walter  was  more  attracted 
by  slender  Hildegunde's  rosy  mouth,  fair  curls,  and  blue  eyes, 
than  by  any  of  the  daughters  of  the  land  ;  and  he  was  more 
pleasing  in  her  eyes  than  the  bow-legged  Hun  whom  the  queen 
desired  her  to  marry. 

Meanwhile  the  Franks  and  Burgundians  had  thrown  off  the 
yoke  of  the  Huns,  and  Etzel  did  not  dare  to  enforce  it  in 
the  then  condition  of  affairs,  Hagen  one  day  found  out  what 
had  chanced,  and,  according  to  one  account,  he  made  his  escape 
to  his  own  people,  but,  according  to  another,  was  sent  home 
loaded  with  honours.  But  Etzel  did  his  best  to  keep  Walter 
with  him,  for  he  knew  his  bravery  and  worth. 

Once  when  the  king  returned  with  his  warriors  from  con- 
quering an  invading  horde,  he  gave  a  great  feast,  and  asked 
Hildegunde  to  sing  him  a  song.  The  maiden  complied,  and 
sang  about  her  old  home  and  her  mother,  and  how  she  trusted 
to  return  to  them  once  more,  when  the  hero  came  for  whom 
she  waited.  Etzel  did  not  take  in  the  sense  of  her  song,  as  she 
had  expected ;  he  had  raised  the  wine-cup  to  his  lips  too  often 
for  that.  But  Queen  Helche  understood,  and  determined  to 
watch  Walter  and  the  maiden,  lest  they  should  fly  together. 

Walter,  too,  had  understood  the  meaning  of  the  song,  and 
soon  found  an  opportunity  of  arranging  matters  with  Hilde- 
gunde regarding  their  flight 

"  Do  not  sleep  to-night,"  he  whispered  one  evening,  "  but  sljp 


IVALTER  AND  HILDEGUNDE. 


into  the  treasure-chamber,  and  take  as  much  gold  and  silver 
as  you  can  carry  out  of  the  seventh  chest ;  it  is  part  of  the 
tribute  money  that  your  father  and  mine  paid  the  Huns  long 
ago.     Put    the    money    you    have    taken    in    two    caskets,    and 


WALTER   AND   HILDEGUNDE   HALT    IN   THE   FOREST. 


bring  them  down  to  the  hall.  You  will  find  me  waiting  for 
you  at  the  gate  with  two  saddled  horses.  We  shall  be  gone 
a  long  time  before  the  drunken  Huns  find  out  that  we  have 
escaped  them." 


212  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

They  carried  out  Walter's  plan  in  every  particular,  and  made 
their  way  to  Bechelaren  first,  then  to  the  Rhine,  and  finally  to 
the  mountains  of  Wasgengau  (Vosges),  in  the  highest  of  which, 
the  Wasgenstein,  they  found  a  cave  with  such  a  narrow  entrance 
that  one  man  could  there  defend  himself  against  an  army. 
Walter  wished  to  rest  awhile,  for  he  had  had  but  little  sleep 
during  their  long  and  toilsome  journey,  so  he  asked  the  maiden 
to  keep  watch,  lest  a  sudden  attack  should  be  made  upon 
them.  He  had  not  been  long  asleep  when  Hildegunde  saw 
the  sheen  of  armour  in  the  distance.  She  wakened  the  hero, 
telling  him  that  the  Huns  were  upon  them. 

"These  are  not  Huns,  but  Burgundians,"  he  answered,  starting 
to  his  feet.  And  he  found  they  were  messengers  sent  by  King 
Gunther,  to  demand  that  the  treasure  should  be  given  up  to 
him.  Walter  offered  to  hand  over  a  shield  full  of  gold,  but  this 
was  refused,  and  the  fray  began.  But  the  assailants  could  only 
approach  one  at  a  time  ;  so  the  hero,  who  had  learnt  from  the 
Huns  to  throw  the  javelin,  was  able  to  kill  them  one  after 
the  other  with  these  missiles,  and,  when  they  failed,  with  his 
sword.  Hagen  had  come  with  Gunther's  men,  but  he  stood 
apart  during  the  fight,  siding  with  neither  party ;  only  when 
he  saw  his  friends  falling  fast,  his  hand  involuntarily  sought  his 
sword,  but  he  did  not  draw  it.  He  returned  to  the  king,  and 
advised  him  to  try  an  ambush. 

Next  day,  as  Walter  and  Hildegunde  were  continuing  their 
journey  across  the  open  country,  they  were  set  upon  by  two 
men  in  complete  armour,  who  sprang  out  upon  them  from 
behind  a  clump  of  bushes.  They  were  Hagen  and  King  Gun- 
ther. Despairing  of  flight,  Walter  leapt  off  his  horse,  and  they 
did  the  same.  With  wonderful  agility,  he  dodged,  now  to  the 
right,  now  to  the  left,  to  avoid  their  blows ;  at  length  his  sword 
cut   through    one    of    King    Gunther's    greaves,    and    the    edge 


WALTER  AND  HILDEGUNDE.  213 

entered  the  bone  of  the  leg.  He  stood  over  the  fallen  king, 
and  was  about  to  deal  him  a  death-blow,  when  a  stroke  from 
Hagen  disabled  his  sword-arm.  He  dropt  the  sword,  but  with 
his  left  hand  drew  his  dagger,  and  plunged  it  into  Hagen's  eye. 
Seeing  them  all  three  disabled,  Hildegunde  came  forward  to 
propose  a  truce,  and  bound  up  all  their  wounds ;  after  which 
she  and  Walter  went  on  their  way  in  peace.  They  arrived  at 
Aquitaine  without  further  adventure,  and  were  there  married. 
The  young  hero  in  later  days  always  took  part  with  the  Bur- 
gundians  and  Ermenrich,  as  we  saw  before  when  Dietleib  chal- 
lenged him  at  Romaburg. 


VII.   ETZEL   AND   DIETRICH   AGAINST   THE 
REUSSEN. 


T3UT  now  we  must  return  to  Dietrich  and  Etzel.     When  the 


D 


hero   of  Bern   desired    Etzel's   help   in   freeing  the  land  of 


the  Amelungs  from  the  tyranny  of  the  usurper,  he  found  that 
it  was  impossible  for  the  latter  to  grant  it  His  hands  were 
already  overfull  with  his  own  quarrels. 

Waldemar,  king  of  the  Reussen,  and  brother  of  that  Osantrix 
whom  Etzel  had  formerly  slain,  and  whose  daughter  he  had 
married,  now  invaded  his  borders,  and  threatened  to  overrun 
the  countr}^  In  truth,  Etzel  needed  Dietrich's  help,  and  the 
latter  did  not  hesitate  to  grant  it. 

The  war  lasted  a  long  time.  Many  men  were  slain,  and 
much  fair  land  was  devastated  before  the  invaders  were  forced 
to  retire.  Dietrich  himself  was  so  severely  wounded  that  it 
was  some  time  before  he  felt  like  himself  again.  There  was 
one  thing  which  happened  during  the  war  that  saddened  and 
shamed  honest  Margrave  Rudiger,  and  that  was  the  remem- 
brance of  the  way  in  which  Etzel  had  on  one  occasion  fled 
before  Waldemar,  thereby  proving  the  latter  the  better  man. 
Indeed  every  one  felt  that  the  defeat  of  the  Reussen  was  owing 
more  to  the  leadership  and  heroism  of  the  hero  of  Bern  thaii 
to  any  other  cause. 


ai4 


ETZEL  AND  DIETRICH  AGAINST  THE  REUSSEN.      215 

Etzel  pursued  the  enemy  within  their  own  borders,  and 
forced  them  to  pay  him  tribute. 

Dietrich  was  held  in  high  honour  by  the  Huns,  but  they  did 
not  see  the  advantage  of  helping  him  to  regain  his  own  land, 
and  he  felt  sad  at  heart.  At  last  Queen  Helche  thought  of  a 
way  to  make  him  happy.  She  proposed  to  give  him  her  beau- 
tiful niece  Herrat  to  wife,  and  then  they  might  rule  together 
over  the  princess's  fair  land  of  Transylvania.  Dietrich  and 
Herrat  made  no  objection  to  the  marriage,  which  was  soon 
afterwards  celebrated.  But  Etzel  erred  in  thinking  that  the 
hero  of  Bern  would  ever  be  content  to  sink  into  the  position 
of  a  vassal  of  the  Hunnish  empire.  Neither  he  nor  Herrat  were 
made  of  such  slight  stuff,  and  Etzel  was  obliged  after  all  to 
give  the  help  he  had  before  refused. 


VIII.   THE   RAVEN-FIGHT   (BATTLE   OF   RAVENNA). 


Dietrich  goes  to  Bern. 

"  f~^  OING  back  to  Bern  !      Dietrich  is  going  to   Bern  !      We 
^'-^  are  to  have  a  campaign  in  Lombardy,"  was  the  cry  which 
rang  through  the  land  of  the  Huns. 

Yes ;  Dietrich  was  really  going  back,  accompanied  by  many 
brave  comrades  new  and  old,  and  at  the  head  of  a  large  army. 
Even  Etzel's  two  sons,  mere  boys  as  they  were,  insisted  on  going 
too.  The  line  of  march  lay  through  the  great  mountains  and  fair 
plains  of  Lombardy.  Amelolt  (Amelung)  and  Hildebrand,  at  the 
head  of  the  Wolfings,  stormed  Garden,  and  took  the  fortress. 
But  the  old  master  had  not  time  to  stay  and  embrace  the  Lady 
Ute  and  his  son  Hadubrand,  for  they  were  not  in  the  castle  at  the 
time,  and  he  had  to  rejoin  the  army  without  delay.  He  came 
up  with  the  rest  at  Padauwe  (Padua),  which  Dietrich  failed  to 
subdue.  The  army,  leaving  Padauwe  behind  it,  moved  on  to 
Bern,  from  which  Dietrich  heard  that  Ermenrich's  men  had  been 
expelled  by  the  citizens. 

At  length  the  hero  was  at  home  in  his  beloved  Bern,  where 
he  was  received  with  great  rejoicings.  He  had  not  long  to  rest ; 
for  a  few  days  after  his  arrival,  Alpher  came,  bringing  a  message 
from  Duke  Friedrich  of  Raben  (Ravenna),  that  the  Emperor 
Ermenrich  was  besieging  his  town,  therefore  he  begged  the  hero's 

ax6 


THE  RAVEN-FIGHT.  217 


assistance.     The  Bernese  forces  made  a  rapid  march,  and  arrived 
unexpectedly  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  imperial  army. 

It  was  of  no  use  to  send  out  scouts.  The  foe  lay  hidden  in 
every  thicket.  Dietrich  asked  his  heroes  which  of  them  would 
undertake  to  gain  the  enemy's  outpost,  and  immediately  young 
Alphart,  the  Lady  Ute's  foster-son,  declared  himself  ready. 
Others  wished  to  have  the  duty ;  but  he  had  spoken  first,  and 
it  was  given  to  him. 


Alphart's  Death. 

The  youthful  hero  rode  on  towards  the  dangerous  outposts. 
Suddenly,  spears  and  arrows  rained  round  him,  and  fell  rattling 
from  helm  and  shield.  But  they  did  no  harm,  for  his  armour  had 
been  made  by  dwarfs.  The  enemy's  leader  rode  up  to  him,  and 
desired  him  to  yield,  saying  that  he  might  give  him  his  sword 
without  shame,  for  he  was  Duke  Wolfing,  and  would  return  the 
weapon  to  Alphart  when  he  was  ransomed. 

"  What  i"  cried  the  hero,  "  are  you  Duke  Wolfing,  the  only 
traitor  of  our  race  ?  You  shall  have  your  wages  here  to-day,  and 
from  my  hands." 

The  combat  between  the  two  men  was  short.  Alphart  slew  his 
opponent.  Upon  this,  the  duke's  retainers  hastened  up  to  avenge 
him,  but  the  young  hero  killed  half  of  them,  and  put  the  rest  to 
flight. 

"  A  spirit  from  the  nethermost  hell  has  come  to  fight  for  Die- 
trich," cried  the  men-at-arms.  "  It  slew  more  than  fifty  of  us 
single-handed,  and  we  ourselves  hardly  escaped  with  our  lives." 

"  Do  you  not  know  that  the  hero  of  Bern  is  a  son  of  the  devil  ?" 
was  the  answer;  "and  what  is  more  natural  than  that  a  father 
should  come  to  his  child's  assistance?  No  mortal  man  can  be 
expected  to  fight  with  such  a  foe." 


2i8  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

"  I  will  go  out  and  see  if  it  be  not  made  of  flesh  and  blood," 
cried  stout  Wittich.  "  Even  though  it  had  all  hell  at  its  back,  I 
care  not ;  I  must  have  a  turn  with  it." 

He  armed  himself  quickly,  and  caught  up  a  sword  without 
noticing  that  it  was  not  Mimung.  Heime,  whose  life  he  had  saved 
a  short  time  before,  offered  to  go  with  him,  and  avenge  him  should 
he  fall. 

Alphart  recognised  the  men  from  a  distance. 

"  Ye  are  two  faithless  comrades,"  he  cried,  "  and  have  come  to 
meet  your  doom." 

The  combat  between  him  and  Wittich  began  forthwith,  and 
the  latter  soon  perceived  that  he  had  not  Mimung.  He  was  twice 
felled  to  the  ground.  In  his  sore  distress,  he  called  on  his  com- 
rade to  help  him  ;  but  Heime  hesitated,  because  it  was  considered 
dishonourable  for  two  warriors  to  fight  against  one.  When 
Alphart,  however,  called  upon  Wittich  to  yield,  if  he  would  not 
be  slain  on  the  spot,  Heime  sprang  forward,  and  covered  his 
comrade  with  his  shield,  thus  enabling  him  to  get  to  his  feet  again. 
After  which  both  warriors  attacked  the  young  hero. 

Alphart  was  as  active  on  foot  as  he  was  strong  of  hand.  He 
felled  Heime,  but  Wittich  came  to  his  help,  and  so  the  battle  went 
on.  The  three  warriors  bled  from  many  wounds  ;  but  it  was 
Heime's  hand  that  finally  dealt  the  death-blow. 

"Faithless  comrades  that  ye  are,"  sighed  the  dying  Alphart, 
"  the  curse  of  your  dishonourable  deeds  will  follow  you  to  the 
grave." 

The  conquerors  left  the  place  of  combat  in  silence.  They 
did  not  noise  abroad  the  fame  of  their  deed.  Yet  their  armour 
was  bloody,  and  they  were  sorely  wounded.  The  men-at-arms 
whispered  in  mysterious  tones  : 

"  They  have  been  fighting  with  that  spirit  from  hell,  have  slain 
it,  but  have  seen  some  terrible  sight." 


THE  RAVEN-FIGHT,  ^i^ 


The  news  of  Alphart's  death  was  received  with  deep  sorrow 
in  the  Bernese  camp.  Dietrich  prepared  to  offer  battle  to  the 
emperor  on  the  following  day,  and  made  all  necessary  dispositions 
in  case  he  fell  in  the  fight. 

The  Battle. 

Master  Hildebrand  held  watch.  Not  contented  with  keeping 
a  distant  look-out  on  the  enemy's  movements,  he  went  to  see  with 
his  own  eyes  what  was  passing  within  their  lines.  A  thick  mist 
covered  the  earth,  and  hid  every  object  from  view.  Suddenly  the 
old  master  and  his  companion,  Eckehart,  heard  the  tramp  of 
a  horse.  They  drew  their  swords,  and  waited.  At  the  same 
moment  the  moon  broke  through  the  mist,  and  they  recognised 
by  its  light  Rinold  of  Milan,  who,  although  one  of  Ermenrich's 
men,  was  at  the  same  time  a  friend  of  theirs.  They  greeted  each 
other  heartily,  and  Rinold  said  that  if  he  might  advise  Dietrich, 
he  would  counsel  him  to  return  to  the  land  of  the  Huns,  where 
he  had  made  himself  a  home  ;  for  the  emperor  was  too  powerful 
to  be  overthrown. 

After  taking  leave  of  their  friend,  Hildebrand  looked  about 
carefully,  and  discovered  a  path  leading  through  a  wood  by  which 
he  could  outflank  the  imperial  forces  unperceived.  On  his  return 
to  the  camp,  he  arranged  with  Dietrich  that  he  should  take  three 
divisions  by  this  path,  and  fall  upon  the  enemy  at  daybreak. 
Meantime,  the  king  was  to  be  ready  to  attack  in  front,  the 
moment  he  heard  Hildebrand's  horn  sound  to  the  rear  of  the 
enemy. 

No  sooner  had  the  sun  risen  than  the  battle  began.  Great 
deeds  of  valour  were  done  on  either  side.  It  were  an  endless  task 
to  tell  of  each  hero's  achievements.  Among  those  who  fell  were 
the  two  young  sons  of  Etzel,  who  showed  themselves  worthy  of 
their  name. 


220  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 


During  the  course  of  that  day,  Dietrich  and  Wittich  met  at 
last,  and  it  was  in  this  wise.  Twih'ght  was  drawing  on  apace, 
when  Wittich,  led  by  his  evil  star,  or  by  his  companion,  Rinold  of 
Milan,  went  back  to  visit  the  outpost.  Dietrich  saw  them  go, 
and,  remounting,  galloped  across  the  valley  towards  the  height, 
and  the  other  two  turned  to  meet  him.  When  Wittich  saw  the 
king  riding  towards  him,  his  face  distorted  by  the  angry  spirit 
that  possessed  him,  and  his  breath  issuing  from  his  mouth  like 
flames  of  fire,  a  terror  he  had  never  known  before  overmastered 
him.     He  turned  his  horse  and  fled,  followed  by  Rinold. 

*'  Halt,  cowards,  halt !  "  cried  the  king.  "  Two  against  one ! 
surely  ye  are  strong  enough  .-*  " 

"  Halt,  comrade ! "  said  Rinold,  "  I  cannot  bear  the  shame  of 
this." 

Wittich  turned  ;  but  no  sooner  did  he  see  the  terrible  face  and 
flaming  breath  of  his  old  leader,  than  he  fled  once  more,  leaving 
Rinold  alone  to  bear  the  brunt  of  the  attack. 

"  Stop,  traitor,"  shouted  Dietrich.  "  You  have  the  sword 
Mimung  in  your  hand,  with  which  you  once  conquered  me  at 
Bern,  and  do  you  now  fear  to  stand  ? " 

But  Wittich,  by  encouraging  words,  and  a  free  use  of  the  spur, 
urged  his  noble  steed  to  a  yet  swifter  pace.  The  king  did  the 
same,  and  Falcon  was  even  fleeter  than  Wittich's  gallant  charger. 
The  surf  might  now  be  heard  beating  on  the  sea-shore.  The 
fugitive  warrior  reached  the  strand.  He  could  fly  no  farther. 
And  behold,  at  the  same  moment,  two  white  arms  and  a  woman's 
head  rose  out  of  the  waves. 

"  Wachilde — ancestress — save  me — hide  me  from  that  spirit 
of  hell,"  he  cried,  and  took  the  terrible  leap. 

And  Wachilde  received  him  in  her  arms,  and  bore  him  to  her 
crystal  hall  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea.  Dietrich  did  not  hesitate 
to  follow.     The  waters  swe;;)t  over  him  and  his  horse,,  but  Falcon 


THE  RAVEN-FIGHT. 


rose  again  and  swam  through  the  roaring  surf  to  the  shore.  The 
king  looked  all  about,  but  Wittich  had  vanished.  He  could  see 
nothing  but  the  foaming  waves.  Sadly  the  king  returned  to  the 
camp,  having  found  neither  the  vengeance  nor  the  death  he  had 
sought. 

The  Huns  declared  that  they  would  return  home  as  soon  as 
they  had  buried  their  princes  with  fitting  honour.  Dietrich  heard 
their  determination  unmoved.  He  was  thinking  of  those  who 
had  fallen.  Master  Hildebrand,  on  the  other  hand,  did  what  he 
could  to  induce  them  to  follow  up  the  victory  that  they  had 
gained  the  previous  day  ;  but  it  was  labour  lost.  They  had  had 
enough  of  fighting  at  the  battle  of  Ravenna. 

Broken-hearted,  Dietrich  returned  to  King  Etzel,  by  whom  he 
was  received  with  the  greatest  kindness,  in  spite  of  all  that  had 
come  and  gone.  He  sank  into  a  state  of  sorrowful  brooding  and 
melancholy,  until  at  length  Herrat,  his  faithful  wife,  came  to 
him,  and  spoke  words  of  comfort  and  encouragement.  And  he 
roused  from  his  dull  woe,  and  started  again  for  fair  Lombardy, 
accompanied  by  the  Queen. 


IX.  GOING   HOME. 
To  Garden. 

'T^HE  King,  Queen,  and  the  old  Master  took  leave  of  Etzel, 
-^  who  was  too  sad  about  the  death  of  his  boys  to  take  much 
interest  in  their  coming  or  going. 

The  travellers  at  length  came  to  a  wooded  hill  with  a  castle 
perched  on  the  top.  This  castle  belonged  to  a  robber-knight 
named  Elsung,  who  had  always  been  an  enemy  of  the  Amelungs 
and  Wolfings.  The  old  master,  who  acted  as  guide,  and  led  the 
way,  bade  the  king  be  prepared.  He  did  not  speak  a  moment 
too  soon,  for  Elsung  at  the  same  instant  appeared,  followed  by 
some  horsemen.  The  robber-knight  drew  rein,  and  haughtily 
demanded,  as  toll  from  the  travellers,  their  horses  and  armour, 
Hildebrand's  long  beard,  and  the  beautiful  woman  who  ac- 
companied them. 

"  We  need  our  horses  and  armour  that  we  may  fight  in  the 
land  of  the  Amelungs,"  said  Hildebrand,  "  and  we  cannot  spare 
the  woman,  for  she  acts  as  our  cook." 

"  Nay,  then,  you  are  Amelungs  yourselves,"  cried  Elsung, 
"  and  must  each  give  me  your  right  hand  and  left  foot  as  ransom. 
If  you  refuse,  I  will  have  your  heads  as  well,  that  I  may  avenge 
my  father,  whom  Samson  slew." 

The  heroes  deigned   no   further  answer.     They   paid    another 


GOING  HOME.  223 


toll  than  that  demanded  with  the  points  of  their  swords  and 
spears,  and  with  such  hearty  good  will  that  Elsung's  men  were 
either  slain,  or  else  took  to  flight,  and  their  lord  himself  was 
finally  overthrown  and  bound. 

As  Hildebrand  was  about  to  tie  the  prisoner  to  a  horse 
Elsung  said : 

"You  are  Ermenrich's  men,  so  I  will  tell  you  the  news  that 
has  just  reached  me.  The  brothers  of  the  Lady  Swanhilde, 
whom  the  emperor  had  trodden  to  death  by  horses,  have  fallen 
upon  him,  and  have  cut  off  his  hands  and  feet." 

"  Ha  !  "  cried  the  hero  of  Bern,  "do  you  bring  such  good  news  .-• 
Take  your  liberty  in  payment  thereof" 

The  travellers  now  pursued  their  journey,  and  after  meeting 
with  several  more  adventures,  at  last  arrived  safely  at  Garden, 
where  they  were  at  first  received  with  suspicion ;  but  the  Lady 
Ute  recognised  her  husband  the  moment  she  saw  him,  and 
Hadubrand  was  introduced  to  his  brave  old  father,  whom  he  had 
not  seen  since  his  childhood. 

To  Bern. 

The  hero  of  Bern  was  welcomed  with  the  utmost  Joy  by  his 
people,  and  soon  collected  an  army,  which  among  its  most 
celebrated  warriors  numbered  brave  Lodwig  and  his  son  Konrad, 
faithful  Eckehart  and  his  comrade  Hache.  Nor  was  Heime 
wanting ;  he  had  done  penance  for  his  sins  in  a  cloister,  and 
now,  hearing  of  Dietrich's  return,  hastened  to  him  to  renew  his 
oath,  death  having  released  him  from  the  fealty  he  had  formerly 
owed  to  Ermenrich. 

Dietrich's  and  Sibich's  forces  met.  A  terrible  battle  took 
place.  Dietrich  fought  with  heroic  valour,  sweeping  down  all 
before  him.  Eckehart  and  Hache  sought  untiringly  for  faithless 
Sibich,   and  at   last    they  recognised   him   among  the   fugitives, 


224  DIETRICH  OF  BERN. 

although  he  had  cast  from  him  all  signs  of  the  imperial 
dignity  he  had  usurped,  Eckehart  seized  him  by  the  scruff 
of  the  neck,  swung  him  before  him  on  his  horse,  and  galloped 
back  to  the  camp. 

'^Remember  the  Harlungs,"  he  cried,  and  immediately  ordered 
a  gallows  to  be  erected. 

Sibich  entreated  for  life,  bare  life.  He  offered  much  red  gold 
to  have  his  death  put  off  for  even  a  short  space,  but — 

"  Remember  the  Harlungs,"  was  the  only  answer  he  received. 

And  so  the  victory  was  won.  The  hero  of  Bern  marched 
to  Romaburg  at  the  head  of  his  army.  He  was  everywhere 
met  by  the  princes  of  the  land  of  the  Amelungs.  They  greeted 
him  as  their  chief,  and  on  his  arrival  at  Romaburg  he  received 
the  imperial  crown. 

The  Passing  of  Dietrich. 

Herrat  was  a  faithful  wife  and  helpmeet.  The  old  master 
and  many  of  his  other  ancient  friends  were  round  him  ;  but  in 
the  midst  of  his  glory  Dietrich  could  not  forget  the  faithful 
comrades  who  had  died  in  his  service,  the  friends  who  had  given 
him  their  all,  and  to  whom  he  could  no  longer  show  either 
love  or  kindness. 

His  power  was  great  The  empire  was  more  extensive  than 
it  had  ever  been  before,  and  peace  reigned  within  its  borders. 
Once,  indeed,  a  giant  had  committed  great  devastations  within 
the  land,  and  Heime  had  sought  him  out,  but  only  to  be  slain. 
Dietrich  himself  had  then  gone  forth,  and  had  conquered  the 
monster.  It  was  the  last  combat  in  which  the  aged  hero  ever 
took  part. 

His  wife,  noble  Herrat,  soon  after  fell  sick  and  died.  From 
that  time  forward  his  character  seemed  changed.  He  was 
gloomy  and  morose,  and  committed  many  actions  for  which  no 


GOING  HOME. 


225 


after  repentance  could  atone.  The  only  one  of  his  former 
pleasures  that  gave  him  any  happiness  was  that  of  hunting. 
When  he  heard  the  cheerful  sound  of  the  horns,  his  face  would 
clear  up,  and  a  smile  play  on  his  lips,  and  he  would  once  more 
look  like  the  Dietrich  his  friends  had  known  of  yore.  Once, 
when  he  was  bathing  in  the  river,  a  great  stag  with  golden 
horns,  wonderful  to  look  upon,  trotted  slowly  along  the  bank, 
and  passed  into  the  wood  close  by.  He  sprang  out  of  the  water, 
threw  on  his  clothes,  and  called  for  horse  and  hounds.     Before 


ROUND   THEOUERIC  S    TOMB. 


the  servants  could  bring  him  what  he  desired,  Dietrich  perceived 
a  coal-black  steed  come  towards  him  neighing.  Seizing  his 
sword  and  darts,  he  hastily  mounted  the  noble  animal,  and 
galloped  after  the  stag.  His  servants  followed  with  the  fleetest 
horses  in  his  stables,  but  could  not  come  up  with  him.  The 
hero  rode  on  faster,  and  ever  faster.  His  people  waited  weeks, 
months,  and  even  years  for  his  return,  but  all  in  vain.  The 
mighty  empire  had  no  ruler.  Bloody  wars  broke  out  in  con- 
sequence.    His  subjects   longed   for   his   return,   that   his   strong 

P 


226 


DIETRICH  OF  BERN, 


hand  might  rule  the  land  again ;  but  still  he  did  not  come. 
Wodan,  his  ancestor,  had  caught  him  up  to  himself,  and  had 
made  him  one  of  his  wild  huntsmen.  Many  a  benighted 
traveller  has  seen  him  rushing  past,  mounted  on  his  coal-black 
steed.  The  people  of  Lausitz  and  other  parts  of  Germany 
talk  of  him  as  Dietherbernet,  and  see  him  in  the  Furious  Host 
even  to  this  day. 


PART    SECOND. 

THE  N I  BE  LUNG  AND  KINDRED  LEGENDS. 


GUDRUN.  BEOWULF. 


THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 


SIEGFRIED'S  YOUTH. 

NCE  upon  a  time  there 
was  a  noble  prince  in 
the  Netherlands  called  Sieg- 
fried (Sigfrit,  Siegv/art,  or  Si- 
gurSr).  His  father,  Sigmund,  was  descended  from  the  glorious 
race  of  the  Wolfungs,  who  traced  their  lineage  back  to  Wodan. 
His  mother,    Sigelinde,  was    of  equally  high  birth.      They  both 


230  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 

rejoiced  in  the  early  signs  of  strength  and  activity  displayed  by 
their  son,  and  hoped  that  when  grown  to  man's  estate,  his  heroic 
deeds  might  gain  him  glory  and  renown. 

The  boy,  however,  soon  became  aware  of  his  wonderful  strength, 
and  showed  a  haughty,  unbending  spirit.  He  would  suffer  no 
contradiction  :  he  beat  his  playfellows  black  and  blue  when  they 
displeased  him,  even  those  among  them  who  were  much  bigger 
than  he.  The  older  he  grew,  the  more  he  was  hated  by  all  the 
other  boys,  and  the  more  anxious  his  parents  became  regarding 
his  future. 

At  last  Sigmund  told  the  queen  that  he  only  knew  of  one  way 
to  bring  the  young  rebel  under  rule,  and  that  was  to  apprentice 
him  to  the  smith,  Mimer,  who  lived  in  the  neighbouring  forest, 
and  who  was  a  strong  and  wise  man,  and  would  teach  the  boy  how 
to  forge  the  weapons  he  should  one  day  wield  as  a  warrior.  The 
queen  gave  her  consent,  so  the  father  took  the  necessary  steps. 

When  the  smith  heard  the  whole  story,  he  declared  himself 
ready  to  undertake  the  task  assigned  him,  for  he  had  a  strong 
belief  in  the  pacifying  effects  of  hard  work.  Everything  went  well 
for  a  time.  One  year  passed  on  after  another,  till  the  prince  grew 
almost  to  man's  estate.  But  labour  in  the  smithy  was  irksome  to 
him,  and  when  his  comrades  set  him  right,  he  beat  them,  threw 
them  down,  and,  on  one  occasion,  went  so  far  as  to  drag  the  best 
smith  among  them — Wieland — by  the  hair  to  his  master's  feet. 

'*  This  will  not  do  at  all,"  said  Mimer ;  "  come  here  and  forge 
yourself  a  good  sword." 

Siegfried  was  quite  ready  to  do  so.  He  asked  for  the  best  iron 
and  the  heaviest  hammer,  which  was  such  a  weight  that  it  took 
both  hands  to  wield  it.  Mimer  drew  the  strongest  bar  of  iron  out 
of  the  forge,  glowing  red,  and  laid  it  on  the  anvil.  Siegfried 
swung  the  hammer  with  one  hand,  as  though  it  had  been  a  play- 
thing ;  but  when  it  came  down  upon  the  iron  the  blow  was  like 


SIEGFRIEDS    YOUTH.  291 

a  clap  of  thunder,  the  house  shook  to  its  foundation,  the  iron 
shivered  into  spHnters,  and  the  anvil  sank  a  foot  deep  into  the 
ground. 

"  This  will  never  do,"  said  the  master  as  before  ;  "  we  must  try 
another  plan,  my  boy,  if  you  are  to  make  yourself  a  suitable 
weapon !  Go  to  the  charcoal-burner  in  the  pine  wood,  and  fetch 
me  as  much  of  his  charcoal  as  you  can  carry  on  your  strong 
shoulders.  Meanwhile  I  shall  prepare  the  best  iron  to  make  you 
a  sword,  such  as  never  yet  was  possessed  by  any  warrior." 

Siegfried  was  so  pleased  to  hear  this,  that  picking  up  the  largest 
axe  he  could  find,  he  set  out  into  the  forest.  It  was  a  beautiful 
spring  day.  The  birds  were  singing,  and  the  grass  was  studded 
with  violets  and  forget-me-nots.  He  plucked  a  bunch  of  the 
flowers,  and  stuck  them  in  his  leather  cap,  from  a  half-conscious 
feeling  that  they  might  perhaps  bring  him  good  luck.  He  went 
on  further  and  further,  till  he  reached  the  middle  of  a  dark  pine 
forest.  Not  a  bird  was  to  be  seen  ;  but  the  gloomy  silence  was 
broken  by  a  gurgling,  hissing,  and  roaring,  that  might  easily  have 
affrighted  a  less  daring  spirit.  He  soon  found  the  reason  of  the 
noise.  A  dismal  swamp  lay  before  him,  in  which  gigantic  toads, 
snakes,  and  lind-worms  were  disporting  themselves. 

"I  never  saw  so  many  horrible  creatures  in  my  life,"  said 
Siegfried  ;   "  but  I  will  soon  stop  their  music." 

So  saying,  he  picked  up  dead  trees  and  threw  them  into  the 
morass,  till  he  had  completely  covered  it  After  which,  he 
hastened  on  to  the  charcoal-burner's  house.  Arrived  there,  he 
asked  the  man  to  give  him  fire  that  he  might  burn  the 
monsters. 

"Poor  boy,"  said  the  charcoal-burner,  "I  am  very  sorry  for 
you  ;  but  if  you  go  back  the  way  you  came,  the  great  dragon  will 
come  out  of  his  cave  and  make  but  a  single  mouthful  of  you. 
Smith  Mimer  is  a  faithless  man ;  he  came  here  before  you,  and 


232  THE  NIBELVNG  HERO. 

told  me  that  he  had  roused  the  worm  against  you,  because  you 
were  so  unmanageable." 

"  Have  no  fear,  good  man,"  answered  Siegfried  ;  "  I  shall  first 
slay  the  worm,  and  then  the  smith.  But  now  give  me  the  fire, 
that  I  may  burn  the  poisonous  brood." 

The  lad  was  soon  back  at  the  swamp.  He  set  fire  to  the  dry 
wood  with  which  he  had  covered  it,  and  let  it  blaze.  The  wind 
was  favourable,  and  fanned  the  flames  to  a  great  fire,  so  that  the 
creatures  were  all  burnt  up  in  a  short  space  of  time.  The  lad  then 
went  round  the  dismal  swamp  and  found  a  small  rivulet  of  hot  fat 
issuing  from  it.  He  dipped  his  finger  in  it,  and  found,  on  with- 
drawing it,  that  it  was  covered  with  a  horn-like  skin.  "  Ah,"  he 
thought,  "  this  would  be  useful  in  war."  He  therefore  undressed, 
and  bathed  his  whole  body  in  the  liquid  fat,  so  that  he  was  now 
covered  with  horn  from  head  to  foot,  except  in  one  place,  between 
his  shoulders,  where  a  leaf  had  stuck  to  his  skin.  This  he  did  not 
discover  until  later.  He  dressed  himself  again  in  his  leather 
garments,  and  walked  on,  his  club  resting  on  his  shoulder. 
Suddenly  the  dragon  darted  out  upon  him  from  its  hiding-place  ; 
but  three  good  blows  of  his  club  slew  the  monster.  He  then  went 
back  to  the  smithy  to  take  vengeance  on  the  master  smith  and  his 
comrade.  At  sight  of  him,  the  men  fled  affrighted  into  the  forest, 
but  the  master  awaited  the  youth's  arrival.  At  first  Mimer  tried 
the  effect  of  flattering  words  ;  but  finding  they  were  vain,  he  took 
to  his  sword.  Siegfried  then  dealt  him  one  mighty  blow,  and  had 
no  need  to  strike  again. 

Having  done  this,  the  lad  went  into  the  smithy,  and  with  great 
patience  and  care  forged  himself  a  sword,  whose  blade  he  har- 
dened in  the  blood  of  the  lind-worm.  Then  he  set  out  for  his 
father's  palace.  The  king  sharply  rebuked  him  for  his  evil  deed 
in  slaying  the  master  smith,  who  was  so  good  a  subject,  and  so 
useful  to  the  whole  country.      And  the  queen,  in  her  turn,   re-: 


SIEGFRIED'S   YOUTH.  233 

preached  him  with  many  tears,  for  having  stained  his  hands  with 
innocent  blood.  Siegfried,  sobered  by  his  father's  reproof,  and 
softened  by  his  mother's  tears,  did  not  try  to  excuse  himself;  but, 
falling  at  the  queen's  feet  and  hiding  his  face  in  his  hands,  he 
said  the  sight  of  her  tears  cut  him  to  the  heart,  and  for  the  future 
he  vowed  that  his  deeds  should  be  those  of  a  gentle  knight.  Then 
the  hearts  of  the  parents  were  comforted. 

From  that  time  forward  Siegfried  was  changed.  He  listened 
to  the  advice  of  men  of  understanding,  and  strove  to  learn  how 
to  act  wisely  and  well.  Whenever  he  felt  one  of  his  old  fits  of 
passion  coming  over  him,  he  thought  of  his  mother's  tears  and 
his  father's  reproof,  and  conquered  the  evil  spirit  that  threatened 
to  master  him.  The  expectations  of  the  people  were  great  re- 
specting him  :  they  were  sure  that  in  him  their  nation  had  found 
a  new  hero.  And  then,  he  was  so  handsome  and  graceful,  that 
the  women  admired  him  as  much  for  his  looks  as  the  men  did  for 
his  prowess. 

Young  Siegfried  sails  to  Isenland. 

His  father  and  mother  were  so  proud  of  him,  that  they  longed 
for  the  day  when  his  name  and  fame  should  be  hailed  with 
applause  in  every  land. 

The  king  at  length  deemed  that  the  time  was  come  to  give 
Siegfried  and  his  comrades,  and  many  young  nobles  of  his  own 
and  other  lands,  the  sword  and  armour  that  marked  a  warrior. 
This  investiture  was  in  those  days  a  ceremony  of  great  import- 
ance, and  took  up  the  same  place  in  a  young  man's  life  as  the 
ceremony  of  knighthood  in  later  times.  The  solemn  investiture 
was  succeeded  by  feats  of  arms  and  trials  of  skill.  Siegfried  was' 
victwious  in  all,  and,  at  the  end  of  the  day,  the  populace  shouted : 
"  I^ong  live  young  Siegfried,  our  king  ;  long  may  he  and  his  worthy 
father  rule  over  us  1 " 


i34  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 

But  he  signed  to  them,  and  said,  "  I  am  not  worthy  of  such  high 
honour.  I  must  first  win  a  kingdom  for  myself.  I  will  entreat 
my  noble  father  to  allow  me  to  go  out  into  the  world,  and  seek 
my  fortune." 

When  the  warriors  were  all  assembled  at  the  feast  in  the  royal 
hall,  Siegfried  did  not  take  his  place  at  the  upper  end  of  the 
table  beside  his  father,  but  modestly  seated  himself  among  the 
young  warriors  who  had  still  their  names  to  make.  Some  of  the 
party  began  to  talk  of  distant  Isenland,  the  kingdom  of  the 
beautiful  and  warlike  Brunhild,  who  challenged  all  her  wooers  to 
do  battle  with  her,  thereby  slaying  many. 

They  talked  of  the  land  of  the  Nibelungs,  learned  in  magic  ;  of 
the  Drachenstein,  where  a  flying  dragon,  of  fiendish  aspect,  had 
taken  up  its  abode. 

Others,  again,  talked  of  the  lovely  princess  at  Worms  on  the 
Rhine,  who  was  carefully  guarded  by  her  three  brothers  and 
by  her  uncle,  strong  Hagen. 

"  Oh,  how  pleasant  it  must  be  to  see  such  marvels,  and  to 
seek  out  adventures  !  "  cried  Siegfried,  and  approaching  his  father, 
he  asked  his  permission  to  go  out  and  see  the  world. 

The  king  understood  his  desire,  for  he  had  had  an  adventurous 
youth  himself;  and  promised  to  let  him  go,  provided  his  mother 
gave  her  consent. 

It  was  pain  and  grief  to  the  queen  to  part  with  her  son,  but 
she  at  last  permitted  him  to  go,  and  one  fine  morning  he  set 
out,  dressed  in  a  shining  suit  of  armour,  mounted  on  a  swift 
horse,  and  bearing  the  sword  which  he  himself  had  made.  His 
spirits  were  high,  and  his  heart  full  of  hope,  as  is  the  case  with 
every  youth  of  spirit  who  goes  out  into  the  unknown  world  to 
seek  his  fortune. 

He  went  northwards  in  the  direction  of  Isenland.  On  reaching 
the  sea-shore,  he  found  a  vessel  ready  to  start ;  but  the  skipper 


SIEGFRIED'S   YOUTH.  235 

feared  a  storm,  and  only  set  sail  at  Siegfried's  entreaty.  After 
a  quick  but  tempestuous  voyage,  Siegfried  landed,  and  went  up 
to  the  palace. 

Queen  Brunhild  received  him  in  the  great  hall,  where  many 
warriors  were  assembled,  each  of  whom  had  come  determined 
to  woo  the  lady  by  great  feats  of  arms. 

On  the  following  day  the  warriors  assembled  in  the  lists, 
where  Brunhild  joined  them  before  long.  She  was  clad  in  full 
armour,  and  looked  as  haughty  and  as  beautiful  as  Freya,  when 
she  led  the  Valkyrs  of  old  to  the  battles  of  the  heroes. 

Siegfried  gazed  at  her  in  astonishment.  She  was  so  much 
taller  and  nobler  looking  than  any  of  the  maidens  in  her  train, 
who  were  armed  equally  with  herself  He  almost  wished  to  join 
the  ranks  of  the  wooers,  and  win  her  hand.  He  raised  a  stone 
in  sport,  and  flung  it  far  beyond  the  lists  ;  then,  turning  to  the 
queen,  took  leave  of  her  with  all  reverence,  and  returned  again 
to  his  vessel,  saying  to  himself: 

"I  could  never  love  her,  she  is  too  like  a  man.  That  maiden 
must  be  shy  and  modest,  gentle  and  kindly,  who  would  gain 
the  heart  of  a  brave  warrior  so  utterly  that  he  would  think 
nothing  of  spending  his  heart's  blood  in  her  service." 

After  a  quick  voyage,  he  resumed  his  journey  by  land,  now 
through  rich  and  well-cultivated  plains,  and  again  through  desert 
lands,  where  wild  beasts  and  robbers  had  their  abode.  He  had 
many  a  hard  fight  by  the  way,  and  slew  all  manner  of  giants 
and  monsters.  The  minstrels  sang  of  his  great  deeds  in  cottage 
and  in  castle,  so  that  his  name  became  known  far  and  wide. 

When  he  reached  the  land  of  the  Nibelungs,  the  kings  of  that 
country,  Schilbung  and  Nibelung  by  name,  asked  him  to  divide 
between  them  the  treasure  left  them  by  their  father  Nibeling, 
for  they  could  not  agree  as  to  what  was  a  fair  division.  In 
payment    for    this    service    they  offered    him   the    good    sword 


236  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 

Balmung,  which  was  the  handiwork  of  dwarfs,  and  was  tempered 
in  dragon's  blood.  The  hero  divided  the  treasure  with  the 
utmost  fairness,  yet  the  brothers  were  not  satisfied.  They  told 
him  that  they  were  sure  he  was  keeping  back  the  most  valuable 
;hings  for  himself,  and  commanded  twelve  enormous  giants  to  seize 
him,  and  confine  him  in  the  hollow  mountain  where  the  treasure 
was  kept.  The  hero  at  once  drew  Balmung,  and  began  slaying 
one  giant  after  another.  Then  the  royal  magicians  chanted  their 
spells,  and  called  up  a  thick  mist ;  a  storm  arose,  and  the 
mountain  trembled  under  repeated  thunder-claps.  All  in  vain. 
The  last  of  the  giants  fell,  and  finally  the  two  brothers  were 
slain  ;  then  the  mist  cleared  away,  and  the  sun  shone  full  on 
the  victorious  warrior. 

When  the  Nibelung  people  saw  the  wonders  that  had  been 
done,  they  greeted  Siegfried  as  their  king.  But  even  yet  his 
difficulties  were  not  at  an  end.  An  avenger  had  arisen  :  this 
was  Alberich  the  dwarf.  Well  armed  with  enchanted  weapons, 
he  came  up  against  the  bold  warrior.  He  was  now  visible,  now 
invisible,  according  as  he  drew  the  cap  of  darkness  over  his  helmet, 
or  took  it  off.     After  a  long  struggle,  Siegfried  overthrew  him. 

The  dwarf  was  now  in  his  power,  but  Siegfried  could  not  kill 
a  defenceless  foe.  Alberich  was  so  touched  with  this  generosity 
that  he  swore  to  be  true  to  his  victor :  an  oath  he  never  broke. 
After  this,  no  one  disputed  the  hero's  right  to  the  land  of  the 
Nibelungs.  He  was  recognised  as  king  by  the  whole  people, 
and  also  became  possessed  of  all  the  treasures  in  the  hollow 
mountain,  and  of  Alberich's  cap  of  darkness  by  reason  of  his 
"ictory  over  the  dwarf 

When  Siegfried  had  reduced  the  whole  kingdom  to  order,  and 
appointed  proved  men  to  be  governors  of  the  provinces,  he 
chose  out  twelve  noble  warriors  to  be  his  trusty  companions. 
The  treasure  furnished  him  with  rings  and  chains  of  silver  and 


SIEGFRIED'S    YOUTH.  237 

gold  with  which  to  enrich  his  followers.  The  whole  band 
looked  like  an  assemblage  of  kings  under  the  lead  of  some 
yet  mightier  chieftain. 

He  and  his  men  now  set  out  on  their  journey  homewards, 
and  reached  the  Netherlands  without  further  adventure.  The 
king  and  queen  were  overjoyed  to  see  their  son,  of  whom  they 
had  for  a  long  time  heard  nothing  but  indistinct  rumours. 
Siegfried  remained  at  home  for  many  days  to  rest  and  recover 
from  his  weariness.  He  often  passed  hours  sitting  at  his  mother's 
feet,  as  when  he  was  a  little  boy,  and  telling  her  of  his  hopes 
and  longings.  His  confidence  and  trust  in  her  made  her  very 
happy.  But  when  he  stood  before  her  in  all  the  panoply  of  war, 
her  heart  beat  high  with  pride  that  she  had  such  a  hero  for  a  son. 

Pleasant  as  it  was  to  be  at  home  again,  Siegfried  could  not 
long  be  contented  with  idleness ;  his  soul  panted  to  be  out  in 
the  battle  of  life,  where  alone  a  man  preserves  his  strength  of 
mind  and  body.  He  told  his  father  that  he  wished  to  go  to 
Worms,  in  the  Rhinelind,  and  try  his  fortune  with  the  great 
warriors  of  Burgundy. 

The  king's  face  clouded  when  he  heard  this.  "  My  son,"  he 
said,  "  do  not  go  to  Burgundy,  for  there  dwell  the  boldest 
warriors  in  the  whole  world.  No  hero  has  as  yet  withstood 
them.  There  are  grim  Hagen,  strong  Ortewin  of  Metz,  and 
King  Gunther,  with  his  brother  Gemot.  They  all  unite  m 
guarding  the  lovely  maiden  Chriemhild,  whom  many  a  brave 
man  has  wooed,  only  to  lose  his  life." 

*'  Ha !  That  is  a  good  story !  "  cried  bold  Siegfried.  '*  These 
mighty  warriors  shall  yield  me  their  kingdom,  and  the  lovely 
maid  as  well,  if  she  be  pleasing  in  my  eyes.  With  my  twelve 
Nibelungs  at  my  back,  I  have  no  fears  about  the  fighting." 

The  king's  remonstrances  and  the  queen's  entreaties  were  alike 
in  vain.  They  were  obliged  to  consent  to  their  son's  undertaking 
this  adventure. 


II.  SIEGFRIED  IN  BURGUNDY. 

nr^HE  lovely  maiden  Ghriemhild,  who  lived  in  the  land  of 
-*-  Burgundy,  was  the  daughter  of  King  Dankrat  and  his  wife, 
the  Lady  Ute.  Her  father  had  long  been  dead  ;  but  his  three 
sons,  Gunther,  Gemot,  and  the  boy  Giselherr,  nicknamed  "  The 
Child,"  regarded  their  beautiful  sister  as  the  costliest  pearl  in  their 
crown.  The  royal  brothers  were  surrounded  by  brave  warriors, 
to  whom  fear  was  unknown.  First  among  these  was  grim  Hagen 
of  Tronje,  un-beautiful  of  face,  and  one-eyed,  but  known  and 
feared,  both  in  the  land  of  the  Teuts  and  in  that  of  the  Latins. 
He  enjoyed  great  honour  for  another  reason,  that  he  was  the  uncle 
of  the  kings.  After  him  came  his  brother,  the  marshal  Dank- 
wart  ;  Ortewin  of  Metz ;  the  Margraves  Gere  and  Eckewart ; 
Rumolt,  the  chief  cook  ;  Volker  of  Alzeyen,  the  faithful  minstrel  ; 
Sindolt,  the  cup-bearer  ;  and  Hunolt,  the  steward.  These  and 
many  other  brave  men,  too  numerous  to  mention,  served  the  kings, 
and  guarded  their  interests. 

Young  Ghriemhild  lived  very  much  alone.  She  loved  to  wander 
about  the  garden  and  under  the  shady  trees,  and  hated  all  sights 
and  sounds  of  war.  Her  brothers  once  persuaded  her  to  go  out 
hunting  with  them ;  but  a  roe-deer  fell  dead  at  her  horse's  feet, 
and  the  sight  so  distressed  her,  that  she  went  straight  home,  and 

could  never  be  induced  to  go  out  hunting  again. 

238 


SIEGFRIED  IN  BURGUNDY.  2.-?g 

One  day  the  queen  entered  her  daughter's  room  at  an  early 
hour,  and  seeing  her  look  sad  and  troubled,  she  asked  what  ailed 
her. 

Chriemhild  answered  :  "I  dreamed  that  I  had  brought  up  a 
noble  falcon,  and  had  grown  very  fond  of  it ;  but  once,  when  I 
let  it  fly  up  among  the  cliffs,  two  eagles  attacked  and  killed  it 
before  my  very  eyes." 

"  My  child,"  said  the  mother  gravely,  "  the  falcon  is  some  noble 
warrior,  whom  you  will  learn  to  love  with  all  your  heart ;  and 
the  eagles  are  two  false  men,  who  will  seek  to  compass  his  death 
by  cunning.  May  God  give  you  strength  and  wisdom  to  turn 
their  plans  to  nought ! " 

"  Mother ! "  said  Chriemhild,  "  do  not  speak  to  me  of  men.  I 
fear  to  go  amongst  them.  If  there  were  no  men  on  the  earth, 
there  would  be  no  more  wars  or  bloodshed." 

*'  Who  knows } "  answered  her  mother,  laughing.  "  Women  often 
shed  more  blood,  and  cut  deeper  with  their  tongues,  than  any  man 
with  his  sword.  But  the  time  will  come  when  you  will  learn  to 
love  some  hero,  and  will  become  his  wife  and  chief  admirer." 

"  Never,"  cried  the  maiden  in  a  voice  of  horror.  "  Mother, 
you  terrify  me  even  more  than  my  dream." 

Ute  and  Chriemhild  went  down  to  the  garden.  They  had  not 
been  there  long  when  they  heard  the  sound  of  horses  prancing 
in  the  court,  and  horns  blowing.  The  queen  went  to  see  what 
was  going  on,  and  soon  came  back  to  teli  her  daughter  of  the 
arrival  of  some  strange  warriors  in  shining  armour,  and  mounted 
on  beautiful  horses.  She  asked  the  girl  to  come  and  help  her 
to  receive  the  guests.  But  Chriemhild  refused  to  do  so,  and 
Ute  returned  to  the  palace  alone.  Meanwhile  Gunther  and  his 
brothers  had  heard  of  the  coming  of  the  strangers.  No  one  knew 
who  they  were,  so  Hagen  was  sent  for,  and  he  at  once  recognised 
Siegfried.      He  further  advised  his   nephew  to  receive  the  hero 


240  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 

and  his  men  with  all  honour,  and  to  enter  into  friendly  alliance 
with  them. 

Gunther  resolved  to  follow  Hagen's  counsel  ;  but  Siegfried  said 
that  he  had  come  to  prove  to  his  own  satisfaction  whether  the 
Burgundian  warriors  were  as  great  in  battle  as  he  had  always 
heard.  He  offered  them  the  Nibelung  realm  and  treasure  as  the 
prize  of  victory,  and  said  that  for  his  own  part  he  was  ready  to 
defend  himself  against  double  or  threefold  the  number  of  his  own 
party,  if  the  kings  of  Burgundy  would  venture  their  kingdom 
against  his.  Bold  Ortewin  and  other  Burgundian  heroes  answered 
that  it  was  not  their  habit  to  fight  strange  warriors  for  aught  else 
than  their  armour  and  horses.  And  King  Gemot  came  forward 
and  said, — 

"  Lord  Siegfried,  we  want  neither  your  goods  nor  your  blood  ; 
I  rather  desire  to  receive  you  as  an  honoured  guest,  and  become 
your  friend  and  ally,  if  you  will  also  be  ours."  So  saying,  he 
held  out  his  hand,  which  Siegfried  clasped  in  his,  as  he  replied  : 

"  God  be  my  witness  that  I  will  be  your  faithful  friend  and 
ally,  and  if  you  ever  come  to  see  me,  I  shall  greet  you  as  honoured 
comrades." 

The  Nibelungs  then  followed  their  hosts  into  the  banqueting 
hall,  where  many  a  toast  was  drunk  to  the  success  of  the  new 
alliance. 

Siegfried  enjoyed  his  stay  in  the  land  of  roses  and  vineyards. 
The  days  passed  happily  in  hunting  or  jousting ;  but  a  great 
longing  to  see  fair  Chriemhild  soon  took  possession  of  him,  and 
grew  stronger  every  day,  for  he  was  always  hearing  of  her 
sweetness,  modesty,  and  gentleness — qualities  that  had  ever  pleased 
him  best  in  women. 

Chriemhild  had  also  heard  of  him  ;  but  the  only  time  she  had 
ever  seen  him  was  once  when  curiosity  led  her  to  peep  out  of 
a  high  window,  when  he  w£is  jousting  in  the  court  below.     He 


SIEGFRIED  IN  BURGUNDY.  241 

seemed  to  her  like  the  white  god  Balder,  of  whose  beauty  and 
glory  her  forefathers  had  told  many  a  tale.  At  that  very  moment, 
he  looked  up,  and  she  shrank  away,  fearing  lest  he  had  seen  her ; 
but  he  had  not.  Chriemhild  could  not  understand  herself.  She 
hoped  that  he  would  stay  at  Worms — she,  who  had  never  before 
cared  who  came  or  went. 

An  embassy  from  Daneland  and  Saxonland  arrived  at  Worms. 
The  kings  Liidegast  and  Liideger  declared  war  against  Burgundy, 
if  the  kings  of  Burgundy  did  not  at  once  pay  them  tribute,  as 
in  olden  times. 

The  tribute  was  refused,  and  the  Burgundian  army  was  called 
out.  Siegfried  and  his  men  joined  King  Gunther's  forces.  The 
armies  met.  The  Danes  and  Saxons  numbered  forty  thousand ; 
the  Burgundian  forces  were  much  fewer.  Each  side  fought 
bravely,  but  Siegfried's  performances  were  perhaps  more  wonderful 
than  any  other  man's.  He  took  King  Liidegast  prisoner,  and 
brought  him  sorely  wounded  into  camp  ;  handed  him  over  to 
the  care  of  servants,  and  returned  to  the  battle.  The  fight  raged 
on  for  hours.  Grim  Hagen  was  always  in  the  front  rank,  and 
near  him  were  Volker,  Sindolt,  and  Hunolt.  Siegfried  fought 
by  their  side,  always  keeping  the  king  of  Saxony  in  sight.  At 
length  he  reached  Ludeger,  and  swung  his  sword  over  his  head. 
Then  the  Saxon  king  exclaimed, — 

"  Ha,  Siegfried  of  the  Netherlands,  the  devil  has  given  me  into 
your  hands.     I  acknowledge  myself  your  prisoner." 

The  battle  was  at  an  end,  and  the  victors,  covered  with  glory 
and  laden  with  booty,  set  out  on  their  return  to  the  Rhine.  They 
were  received  at  Worms  with  great  joy,  and  Siegfried's  name  was 
in  every  mouth.  King  Gunther  prepared  a  feast  of  victory,  which 
was  to  take  place  some  weeks  later,  so  that  the  wounded  warriors 
might  be  well  enough  to  take  part  in  it.  Ludeger  and  Liidegast 
offered  a  large  ransom  for  their  liberty.     While  tiie  Burgundians 

Q 


242  THE  NIB E LUNG  HERO. 

were  debating  what  sum  it  would  be  proper  to  demand,  Siegfried 
exclaimed  : 

"  A  king's  head  is  neither  to  be  bought  nor  ransomed  for  gold, 
silver,  or  precious  stones.  It  can  only  be  won  in  love  through 
well-doing.  Let  the  imprisoned  kings  go  free,  provided  they 
promise  Burgundy  their  help  in  war." 

When  the  days  of  feasting  were  over,  the  guests  all  took  their 
leave,  and  the  Nibelung  hero  was  about  to  do  the  same.  But 
Gunther,  acting  on  Ortewin's  advice,  begged  him  to  tarry  a  little 
longer,  for  the  women,  and  more  especially  his  sister,  Chriemhild, 
wished  to  show  him  their  gratitude.  The  hero's  face  lighted  up 
with  pleasure,  while  he  answered  that  in  that  case  he  would  stay. 
When  the  king  went  to  the  women  to  tell  them  what  he  wished 
them  to  do,  he  felt  at  the  bottom  of  his  heart  a  little  fear  lest  his 
sister  should  refuse ;  but,  though  she  blushed,  she  consented  to 
do  his  will. 

At  the  time  appointed,  she  entered  the  hall  at  Lady  Ute's  side ; 
and  as  she  entered,  her  eyes  and  Siegfried's  met.  She  said  a 
few  words  to  him  with  her  usual  gentle  courtesy,  and  his  heart 
beat  with  a  feeling  he  had  never  known  before.  No  one  in  the 
crowd  noticed  the  look  that  had  passed  between  them  except 
Queen  Ute,  who  rejoiced  to  see  it,  for  she  loved  them  both.  She 
contrived  that  the  hero  should  sit  next  to  her  daughter  at  the 
feast,  and  that  he  should  afterwards  join  them  in  the  garden, 
while  the  other  warriors  sat  over  their  wine. 


III.   THE   DRAGONSTONE. 


OIEGFRIED  returned  to  his  lodging  that  evening  feeling 
*^  happier  than  he  had  ever  done  before.  Early  next  morning, 
he  rode  out  into  the  wood  to  hunt ;  but  his  thoughts  were  so  full 
of  Chriemhild,  that  he  let  the  game  pass  by  unheeded.  Coming 
back  empty-handed  in  the  afternoon,  he  found  both  town  and 
palace  in  great  confusion.  Warriors  and  citizens  were  shouting 
and  crowding  in  every  open  place.  Queen  Ute  was  weeping  and 
wringing  her  hands.  Siegfried  heard  broken  fragments  of  conver- 
sation ;  but  no  one  answered  his  questions.  At  length  he  entered 
the  great  hall,  where  he  found  Hagen,  and  asked  him  the  mean- 
ing of  the  disturbance,  and  whether  some  dreadful  thing  had 
happened. 

"  That  it  has,"  replied  Hagen  ;  *  it  could  not  be  worse  ;  but  what 
is  to  be,  must  be,  and,  as  men  said  in  the  olden  time,  *  what  the 
Norns  have  ordained  must  needs  be  best.'  Hearken,  Siegfried. 
When  we  were  in  the  tilt-yard  this  morning,  we  were  startled  by 
hearing  a  rushing  noise  in  the  air,  and  the  brightness  of  the  sun 
was  darkened  as  if  the  wolf  SkioU  were  devouring  it  The 
thing  of  terror  that  approached  was  a  flying-dragon,  of  shape  so 
monstrous,  that  there  is  none  like  it  in  all  the  realm  of  Helle. 
As  it  flew  over  our  heads,  we  flung  spears  at  it,  but  they  bounced 
off  its  horny  skin  like  reeds.     Next  moment  we  heard  a  cry,  and 

■43 


244  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 

saw  that  the  monster  had  caught  up  sweet  Chriemhild  from  her 
seat  in  the  garden,  and  was  bearing  her  off  through  the  air  so 
rapidly  that  both  were  soon  out  of  sight." 

"And  none  of  you  went  in  pursuit!"  shouted  the  Nibelung 
hero,  "  cowards  that  you  are !  " 

Are  you  mad?"  asked  Hagen,  unmoved.     "Are  you  a  bird, 
that  you  can  fly  through  wind  and  cloud  ? " 

"  I  shall  seek  out  the  monster,"  said  Siegfried  quietly ;  "  if  I 
have  to  wander  through  the  whole  world  and  Helle's  realm  itself, 
I  shall  find  the  maiden,  or — my  death." 

He  hastened  away,  mounted  his  horse,  and  rode  by  unknown 
paths,  leading  he  knew  not  whither.  A  ferryman  set  him  across 
the  Rhine,  and  then  he  wandered  about  among  the  bare  moun- 
tains, but  found  no  trace  of  the  dragon's  abode.  At  length  he 
reached  a  dark  and  trackless  pine  forest.  The  boughs  of  the  trees 
hung  so  low  that  he  had  to  dismount,  and  lead  his  horse  by  the 
bridle.  As  night  came  on,  he  threw  himself  under  a  tree,  utterly 
exhausted,  leaving  his  steed  to  graze  at  will. 

At  midnight  he  heard  the  tramp  of  a  horse's  hoofs,  and,  lookfng 
up,  saw  a  faint  red  light  approaching.  The  rider  was  a  little 
dwarf.  On  his  head  was  a  golden  crown,  the  point  of  which  was 
formed  of  a  shining  carbuncle.  The  hero  asked  the  dwarf  to  show 
him  the  way  out  of  the  forest,  and  the  little  creature  answered 
that  he  was  glad  they  had  met,  for  no  one  knew  the  forest  better 
than  he ;  adding,  that  he  was  the  dwarf-king  Eugel,  who  lived 
in  the  mountains  hard  by  with  his  brothers,  and  thousands  more 
of  their  race. 

"As  for  you,"  he  continued,  "I  know  that  you  are  Siegfried 
of  the  Netherlands.  I  have  often  seen  you  when  I  have  been 
going  about  the  world  with  my  cap  of  darkness  on.  You  could 
never  have  got  out  of  the  wild  wood  without  my  help,  but  would 
infallibly  have  found  your  grave  at  the  Drachenstein,  v/here  the 


THE  DRAGONSTONE.  245 

terrible  giant  Kuperan  and  the  great  dragon  have  taken  up  their 
abode." 

On  hearing  this,  Siegfried  shouted  aloud  for  joy,  and  promised 
the  dwarf  a  rich  reward,  even  to  the  whole  Nibelung  hoard,  if  he 
would  lead  him  to  the  Drachenstein.  This  Eugel  refused  to  do, 
fearing  for  the  hero's  life ;  but  when  Siegfried  threatened  to  slay 
him,  and  at  the  same  time  seized  him  by  the  waist  and  shook  him 
till  his  crown  fell  off,  he  promised  to  obey.  He  replaced  his 
crown,  and  rode  on  first  through  the  dark  forest.  At  daybreak 
they  reached  their  destination. 

"  Knock  at  that  door,"  said  the  little  king.  "  It  is  there  that 
Kuperan  lives.  If  you  are  hero  enough  to  slay  the  giant,  I  and 
mine  will  serve  you,  for  now  we  are  entirely  in  the  power  of  that 
monster." 

Having  thus  spoken,  he  donned  his  cap  of  darkness,  and 
vanished. 

Siegfried  knocked  at  the  door,  at  first  gently,  then  louder  and 
louder,  at  the  same  time  shouting  to  Kuperan  to  give  him  the 
keys  of  the  Drachenstein.  Suddenly  the  door  sprang  open,  the 
giant  rushed  out  in  a  tremendous  passion,  and  asked  in  a  thun- 
derous voice  what  Siegfried  meant  by  disturbing  his  morning's 
sleep.  With  these  words  he  hit  out  at  the  warrior  with  the  pole 
he  had  in  his  hands,  which  was  taller  than  any  of  the  tree  tops, 
and  every  blow  of  which  rang  like  a  castle  bell.  Siegfried  sprang 
aside  to  avoid  the  pole,  and  then  the  battle  began.  The  giant 
swung  his  pole  with  such  good  will  that  trees  and  rocks  came 
rattling  down,  but  he  never  succeeded  in  touching  his  agile  foe.  At 
length,  holding  his  weapon  in  both  hands,  he  brought  it  down  on 
the  ground  with  such  terrible  force  that  it  clove  the  earth  three 
fathoms  deep.  As  he  stooped  to  draw  it  out,  the  hero  sprang 
upon  him  and  gave  him  three  deep  wounds.  The  giant,  howling 
with  pain,  slunk  into  his  dwelling,  and  slammed  the  door  behind 


246  THE  N IB E LUNG  HERO. 

him.  Siegfried  battered  at  the  iron  door,  but  could  not  move  it. 
He  sought  to  force  an  opening  with  his  good  sword,  and  succeeded 
in  cutting  some  holes  and  crannies.  He  peeped  into  the  inner 
room,  and  saw  the  giant  binding  up  his  wounds,  and  then  arming 
himself  in  a  suit  of  mail,  that  glistened  like  the  sun  when  mirrored 
in  the  sea.  In  another  minute  Kuperan  came  forth,  and  the 
combat  was  renewed.  After  a  long  struggle,  Siegfried  had  the 
best  of  it,  and  the  giant  begged  for  his  life,  swearing  to  be  a 
true  comrade  and  helper  in  the  hero's  fight  with  the  dragon,  who 
could  not  be  overcome  without  his  aid.  Upon  this  Siegfried  gave 
Kuperan  his  hand  in  friendship,  bound  up  his  wounds,  and  pro- 
mised on  his  side  to  be  his  faithful  comrade  ;  but  as  he  entered 
the  cavern  first,  the  false  giant  hit  him  so  hard  a  blow  on  his 
helmet  that  he  fell  senseless  to  the  ground.  Eugel,  who  was 
watching  all  that  passed,  unseen,  came  up  at  the  same  moment 
and  flung  his  cap  of  darkness  over  the  hero.  While  the  monster 
thought  he  had  vanished  through  enchantment,  and  felt  about 
for  him  outside,  Siegfried  recovered  from  his  swoon,  sprang  to 
his  feet,  and  tearing  off  the  cap  of  darkness,  cut  down  the  giant 
with  the  first  blow.  He  once  more  forgave  the  traitor,  but  forced 
him  to  go  on  before. 

Faithless  Kuperan  again  tried  to  murder  the  hero  at  the 
entrance  of  the  Drachenstein,  and  Siegfried  would  not  have  again 
forgiven  him  if  he  had  not  needed  his  help  to  save  the  maiden. 
The  giant  now  brought  out  the  key,  unlocked  the  door,  and  led 
the  hero  through  many  passages  into  a  vaulted  chamber,  in  which 
a  soft  twilight  reigned.  Looking  round,  Siegfried  saw  her  whom 
he  sought,  looking  pale  and  wan,  but  very  beautiful.  He  called 
her  name,  and  hastened  to  her.  He  even  dared  to  clasp  her  in 
his  arms ;  he  felt  that  she  returned  his  kiss,  and  the  consciousness 
that  he  was  loved  made  him  feel  so  strong  that  he  could  have 
fought  all  the  powers  of  hell  for  her  sweet  sake.      Chriemhild 


THE  DRAGONSTONE.  247 

wept  bitterly,  and  entreated  him  to  be  gone  before  the  dragon 
came  back  ;  but  Siegfried  asked  for  nothing  better  than  to  come 
face  to  face  with  the  monster,  hew  him  in  pieces,  and  save  the 
princess.  The  giant  now  told  them  that  a  sword  was  hidden 
in  the  Drachenstein,  so  fashioned  that  it  could  cut  through  the 
scales  of  a  dragon.  The  warrior  set  out  to  fetch  it,  accompanied 
by  Kuperan  and  Chriemhild.  Siegfried  saw  the  hilt  of  a  sword 
on  a  ledge  of  rock  just  below  the  edge  of  the  beetling  cliff.  He 
stooped  to  pick  it  up,  and  at  the  same  moment  the  monster 
seized  him,  and  strove  to  fling  him  over.  A  terrible  struggle 
began,  in  which  the  bandages  came  off  the  giant's  wounds,  his 
blood  streamed  down,  his  strength  failed  him,  and  Siegfried  flung 
him  into  the  depths  below.  A  loud  laugh  of  joy  was  heard,  and 
the  victor,  turning,  saw  King  Eugel,  who  thanked  him  heartily 
for  having  delivered  the  dwarfs  from  their  cruel  task-master.  At 
his  command  a  number  of  mannikins  appeared,  bearing  food  and 
wine  to  refresh  the  brave  warrior  after  his  exertions.  He  was 
much  in  need  of  food,  for  he  had  not  tasted  a  mouthful  for  two 
days.  The  dishes  Chriemhild  placed  before  him,  and  the  wine 
she  gave  him,  tasted  better  than  anything  he  had  ever  eaten  or 
drunk  before. 

All  at  once  a  rushing  sound  was  heard  in  the  air,  and  a  howl 
of  rage,  so  terrible,  that  all  the  dwarfs  hid  themselves  in  any 
crannies  of  the  rock  that  they  could  find,  and  the  hero  and 
maiden  were  startled  out  of  their  momentary  feeling  of  security. 
Chriemhild  entreated,  prayed  her  lover  to  conceal  himself;  but 
he  was  a  stranger  to  fear,  and  refused  to  fly.  The  monster 
approached  like  a  storm-cloud,  preceded  by  flames  of  fire.  It 
came  nearer  and  nearer,  dark,  mysterious,  gruesome.  The 
mountain  trembled,  and  the  little  dwarfs,  hiding  in  the  fissures 
of  the  rock,  feared  to  be  crushed  to  death.  At  Siegfried's 
request,   Chriemhild   withdrew   into   the   vaulted  chamber.     And 


248  THE  N IB E LUNG  HERO. 

now  the  dragon  fell  upon  the  hero,  tore  away  his  shield  with  its 
claws,  and  tried  to  seize  him  in  its  great  teeth.  The  warriot 
knew  how  to  act ;  he  sprang  aside,  until  the  fiery  breath  that 
issued  from  the  dragon's  yawning  jaws  had  cooled.  Then  he 
renewed  his  attack,  now  on  the  right,  now  on  the  left  of  the 
monster,  taking  care  to  avoid  its  claws. 

All  at  once  he  felt  himself  encircled  by  the  dragon's  tail. 
He  made  a  marvellous  spring,  freed  himself,  and  sought  to 
attack  the  creature  in  front,  where  it  was  undefended  by  scales. 
Upon  this,  the  dragon  caught  him  so  tight  within  its  curling 
tail  that  he  could  not  free  himself.  In  sore  distress,  he  seized 
his  good  sword  Balmung  in  both  hands,  and  gave  so  hard  a 
blow  that  the  rocks  trembled ;  but  his  object  was  attained. 
The  tail  was  cut  off,  and  rolled  thundering  over  the  edge  of 
the  cliff.  A  second  blow,  as  hard  as  the  first,  divided  the 
monster  in  two.  'Tis  true,  the  jaws  still  snapped  at  the  hero, 
but  he,  with  the  last  effort  of  his  strength,  flung  the  pieces  over 
the  cliff.  Having  done  this,  he  fell  back  exhausted  and  half 
stifled  by  the  poisonous  breath  with  which  the  dragon  had  so 
long  surrounded  him.  When  he  came  to  himself  he  found 
Chriemhild's  arms  round  him,  and  the  dwarfs  busily  engaged 
burning  herbs  and  sprinkling  essences  to  do  away  with  the 
baneful  effect  of  the  fetid  odours  with  which  the  place  was 
impregnated. 

The  dwarfs  now  led  the  hero  and  the  maiden  into  their 
underg  ound  kingdom,  where  a  feast  was  prepared  for  them. 
While  they  rested,  Eugel  told  them  that  the  dragon  had  formerly 
been  a  man  of  handsome  figure  and  face,  but  that  a  mighty 
enchantress,  whom  he  had  deserted,  changed  him  into  a  dragon, 
under  which  form  he  was  to  remain  for  the  rest  of  his  life, 
unless  a  pure  maiden  should  consent  to  marry  him  within  six 
years. 


SIEGFRIED'S  COMBAT  WITH  THE  DRAGON. 


THE  DRAGONSTONE.  251 


The  dwarfs  ofifered  the  warrior  his  choice  of  all  their  treasures. 
He  took  certain  things  from  them,  placed  them  on  his  horse 
beside  Chriemhild,  and,  accompanied  by  Eugel,  set  out  on  his 
return  to  Worms.  When  they  reached  the  edge  of  the  wild 
forest,  the  dwarf-king  looked  at  him  sadly,  and  said  : 

"  You  must  know,  bold  warrior,  that  your  life  will  be  short, 
but  glorious.  You  will  fall  by  the  envy  of  your  own  kindred. 
But  your  fame  will  last  through  all  ages,  and  your  name 
will  be  held  in  honour  by  the  bards  of  every  nation  as  long  as 
the  human  race  exists  on  the  earth." 

Eugel  then  took  leave  of  him,  and  returned  to  his  home  in 
the  forest.  When  Siegfried  and  Chriemhild  came  down  to  the 
banks  of  the  Rhine,  the  hero  took  the  treasure  that  the  dwarf 
had  given  him,  and  sunk  it  in  the  deep  waters  of  the  river. 

"  What  is  the  use  of  gold  to  me  ? "  he  said.  "  My  life  is  to 
be  short,  but  glorious !  Hide  it  in  thy  bosom,  mighty  river  ; 
may  it  gild  thy  waves  and  make  them  gleam  more  brightly  in 
the  sunlight !  Gold  does  the  devil's  work  in  the  hands  of  the 
children  of  men  ;  it  sharpens  the  assassin's  dagger  to  strike 
some  unsuspecting  heart — perhaps  mine.  But  as  yet  I  live  in 
the  light  of  day.  I  will  rejoice  in  my  glory,  and  in  my  love 
for  the  sweetest  maiden  on  the  face  of  the  earth." 

He  then  rejoined  Chriemhild,  and  called  the  ferryman  to  take 
them  across  the  Rhine,  after  which  they  pursued  their  way  to 
Worms,  and  were  received  there  with  great  rejoicing. 

Siegfried  took  the  first  opportunity  when  he  found  Gunther 
alone  to  ask  him  for  his  sister's  hand,  and  the  king  answered : 

"I  will  give  her  to  you  with  all  my  heart,  if  you  will  first 
help  me  to  win  a  high-born  and  most  heroic  woman  to  be  my 
wife.  I  mean  Brunhild,  the  proud  queen  of  Isenland,  for  whose 
sweet  sake  many  a  wooer  has  already  gone  to  his  death." 

"  I    know  her  well,"    replied    Siegfried,    "  and   have   seen   how 


252  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 

she  bears  herself  in  the  fray.  She  fights  bravely  and  well, 
yet  I  do  not  fear  but  that  she  will  find  her  masters  in  you 
and  me.  You  will  do  well  to  prepare  for  an  early  start,  that 
we  may  get  back  before  the  end  of  summer." 

Queen  Ute  and  her  daughter  feared  the  result  of  the  adven- 
ture, but  Siegfried  told  them  to  be  of  good  courage.  He 
promised  to  stand  by  Gunther  in  life  and  death, — even  the  proud 
queen  of  Isenland  would  scarcely  prove  so  hard  an  antagonist 
as  the  monster  of  the  Drachenstein.  The  king  proposed  to 
take  a  thousand  warriors  in  his  train,  but  Siegfried  dissuaded 
him  ;  and  when  at  last  they  started,  the  party  of  adventurers 
consisted  of  Gunther,  grim  Hagen,  Dankwart,  and  himself. 


IV.   THE  WOOING  OF  BRUNHILD 


A  FTER  a  favourable  voyage  they  arrived  at  Isenstein,  and 
■^^  rode  up  to  the  palace.  Servants  hastened  to  meet  them 
and  take  their  armour  and  horses.  Hagen  was  at  first  un- 
willing to  give  up  his  horse  and  armour,  but  he  yielded  when 
Siegfried  told  him  that  such  was  the  law  and  custom  at  Isenstein. 
The  warriors  entered  the  hall  where  Brunhild  awaited  them,  clad 
in  her  royal  robes.  She  greeted  her  guests  with  courtesy,  and 
told  the  Nibelung  hero  how  glad  she  was  to  see  him  again,  as 
she  had  been  told  of  his  great  deeds  of  valour ;  adding  that 
she  supposed  he  had  come  to  enter  the  lists.  Siegfried  then 
informed  her  that  he  had  only  come  as  the  comrade  of  King 
Gunther,  his  lord,  who  desired  to  try  his  fortune,  and  who  was 
well  worthy  of  the  high  prize  of  victory. 

"  This  is  news  to  me ! "  said  the  queen,  "  I  always  thought 
you  were  your  own  man,  and  owed  no  allegiance  to  another." 

Then,  turning  to  King  Gunther,  she  told  him  that  she  had 
also  heard  of  his  great  deeds,  and  asked  him  who  were  the 
warriors  that  bore  him  company.  Gunther  answered  with  many 
thanks  for  her  kind  reception,  and  explained  who  and  what 
his  companions  were.  Brunhild  laughed,  and  asked  whether  he 
intended  to  fight  aided  by  his  three  comrades. 

"  No,  I  alone  am  to  fight,"  answered  the  king ;  "  I  alone  com- 
pete for  the  great  prize." 

*53 


254  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 


"Very  well,"  said  the  lady,  "the  lists  are  open,  prepare  to  do 
your  best." 

The  warriors  were  led  into  the  castle  court,  where  a  wide  space 
was  enclosed  for  the  combat.  The  queen's  serving-men  sur- 
rounded it,  well  armed.  One  of  these  proclaimed  in  a  loud 
voice : 

"  If  any  nobly-born  warrior  ventures  to  play  the  three-fold  play 
with  the  queen,  and  gains  the  victory,  she  and  her  kingdom  shall 
be  his ;  but  if  he  is  conquered,  his  head  and  wealth  belong  to 
her." 

Four  grooms  now  dragged  a  great  stone  into  the  lists,  which 
the  combatants  were  to  "  put "  (throw).  It  was  as  large  and  heavy 
as  a  millstone.  Three  other  men  brought  in  the  huge  broadsword 
which  the  maiden  was  accustomed  to  fling. 

"  If  the  woman  can  play  with  such  a  thing  as  that,"  said  Hagen, 
"  she  is  the  devil's  bride.     No  son  of  man  can  win  her !  " 

"  If  we  only  had  our  weapons,"  cried  Dankwart,  "  neither  the 
king  nor  we  need  lose  our  lives." 

"  Be  of  good  courage.  King  Gunther,"  said  Siegfried,  "  I  will  fetch 
my  cap  of  darkness  from  the  ship,  and  will  help  you  without  an>' 
one  seeing  that  I  do  so." 

He  hastened  away  whilst  all  eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  queen, 
who  now  entered  the  court,  surrounded  by  her  ladies,  and  clad 
in  full  armour. 

"  Is  it  right,  noble  queen,"  said  Hagen,  "  that  your  men  should 
be  armed,  while  we  remain  defenceless  1 " 

"  Bring  the  warriors  their  armour,*'  commanded  Brunhild.  Then 
turning  to  Hagen,  she  continued  :  "  But,  for  all  that,  you  must 
lose  your  lives  here.  If  I  conquer  Gunther,  as  I  have  hitherto 
conquered  all  who  have  entered  the  lists  with  me,  your  heads  will 
fall  under  the  axe  of  yonder  man." 

The  heroes  looked  in  the  direction  in  which  she  pointed,  and 


THE    WOOING  OF  BRUNHILD.  255 

perceived  a  man  clad  in  blood-red  garments  standing  without  the 
barrier  holding  a  sharp  axe  in  his  hand. 

The  trial  of  strength  began. 

Brunhild  went  up  to  the  stone,  lifted  it  in  both  hands,  and  flung 
it  the  length  of  six  fathoms.  After  which,  she  leapt  forward  with 
one  spring  as  light  as  a  bird,  making  the  point  of  her  foot  touch 
the  stone.  This  feat  was  greeted  with  applause.  Then  came  a 
silence  as  of  death.  Gunther  advanced.  Aided  by  Siegfried's 
strength,  he  lifted  the  stone,  weighed  it  in  one  hand,  and  flung  it 
a  full  fathom  farther  than  the  queen.  It  was  a  stronger  hand  than 
his  that  helped  him  both  in  this  and  in  the  leap  that  followed, 
which  carried  him  beyond  the  stone. 

In  the  first  feat  of  strength,  he  was  thus  indisputably  the  con- 
queror. 

Then  Brunhild  rose  with  flashing  eyes,  and  seized  the  heavy 
spear  with  its  sharp  steel  point. 

"  Now  look  to  yourself,  proud  king,"  she  cried,  and  flung  the 
weapon  with  such  force  that  it  crashed  through  his  shield,  and 
would  have  laid  him  prostrate  had  not  Siegfried  come  to  his  aid 
by  turning  the  point  towards  the  edge  of  the  shield  instead  of  the 
centre.  Then  tearing  it  out  of  the  broken  shield,  he  turned  the 
weapon  so  that  the  blunt  end  pointed  at  the  queen,  and  guiding 
Gunther's  hand,  Siegfried  launched  it  at  her.  And  immediately 
Brunhild  fell  backwards,  her  chain  armour  rattling  with  the  force 
of  her  fall. 

The  combat  was  at  an  end,  the  victory  won.  Brunhild  rose. 
She  stood  calmly  before  the  people,  accepting  her  fate ;  but  who- 
ever could  have  read  her  heart  would  have  seen  it  full  of  shame, 
anger,  and  a  wild  thirst  for  vengeance.  The  notables  of  Isenland 
were  summoned  to  appear  at  Isenstein  within  three  days  to  take 
the  oath  of  allegiance  to  Gunther.  Brunhild  begged  the  Burgun- 
dian  warriors  to  remain  her  guests  during  that  time.     She  asked 


a56  THE  Nf BE  LUNG  HERO. 

where  the  Nibelung  hero  was,  and  when  he  stepped  forward,  and 
said  that  he  had  been  busied  about  the  ship  and  the  sailors,  she 
called  him  a  faithless  servant  for  not  having  been  by  while  liis 
master  played  so  dangerous  a  game. 

A  great  feast  was  made  in  the  hall.  Many  ladies  were  present, 
but  the  queen  remained  in  her  own  apartments.  Gunther's  feel- 
ings were  very  mixed.  He  was  ashamed  not  to  have  won  the 
victory  single-handed,  and  yet  he  was  pleased  at  having  gained 
his  object.  Hagen  drained  many  a  cup  of  wine,  and  watched  the 
laughing  warriors  around  with  a  grim  look  on  his  stern  face. 
When  the  heroes  of  the  Rhine  were  taken  to  their  common  cham- 
ber, Hagen  advised  them  to  see  that  their  weapons  were  at  hand, 
because  he  feared  the  queen  was  nursing  some  treacherous  plan 
against  them.  Bold  Siegfried  answered  that  he  would  at  once 
set  out  for  the  land  of  the  Nibelungs,  and  return  with  an  army 
of  good  men  and  true.  He  made  his  way  to  the  ship  unperceived 
in  the  darkness,  and  set  sail  for  his  own  kingdom.  Arrived  there, 
he  went  straight  to  the  dwarf  Alberich  who  guarded  the  treasure, 
and  desired  him  to  call  out  a  thousand  well-armed  men  to  go 
with  him  to  Isenland.  His  commands  were  obeyed  in  an  in- 
credibly short  time,  and  he  and  his  troops  set  out  to  join  his 
friends.  On  the  third  morning,  he  landed  in  front  of  the  palace, 
to  the  great  joy  of  the  Burgundians.  The  queen,  on  the  other 
hand,  was  anxious,  not  knowing  what  the  arrival  of  so  large  a 
force  might  mean.  But  Gunther  comforted  her  by  explaining  that 
Siegfried  had  brought  over  a  band  of  his  Nibelungs  to  do  honour 
to  him,  the  king. 

During  the  next  few  days  everything  was  arranged  for  the 
proper  government  of  Isenland,  and  when  Brunhild  at  length  took 
leave  of  her  people  and  her  mother's  brother,  who  had  been 
appointed  governor,  there  was  hardly  a  dry  eye  to  be  seen.  The 
queen  herself  was  not  happy,  for  she  felt  sure  she  would  never 


THE    WOOING  OF  BRUNHILD.  257 

see  her  home    again  ;   but  Gunther  would  not  let  her  lose  time, 
being  anxious  to  get  back  to  Worms  to  celebrate  his  marriage. 

When  the  travellers  arrived  in  Burgundy,  they  were  received 
with  great  joy  by  every  one.  The  Lady  Ute  welcomed  Brunhild 
as  a  daughter,  and  Chriemhild  kissed  her,  and  promised  to  be  a 
faithful  sister  to  her.  So  the  two  maidens  stood  side  by  side  :  the 
one,  grand,  beautiful,  and  mysterious  as  a  starlight  night ;  the 
other,  sweet,  gentle,  and  lovely  as  a  May  morning.  None  looking 
at  them  could  say  which  was  the  fairest.  But  Siegfried  had  no 
doubt.  He  never  moved  from  Chriemhild's  side  till  they  reached 
the  castle. 

That  evening,  Gunther  asked  Siegfried  and  Chriemhild  if  they 
\vere  still  of  the  same  mind  as  before,  and,  finding  that  they 
were,  announced  that  he  would  make  preparations  for  a  double 
wedding  on  the  following  day. 

Brunhild  sat  at  the  feast  that  evening  by  Gunther's  side,  pale 
and  cold  as  marble,  while  Chriemhild  sat  smiling  and  whisper- 
ing between  her  mother  and  her  lover. 

"  King  of  Burgundy,"  said  Brunhild,  at  last,  "  I  cannot  un- 
derstand why  you  give  your  sister  in  marriage  to  one  of  your 
vassals.     She  ought  to  be  the  wife  of  a  great  king." 

"  Say  not  so,"  answered  Gunther ;  "  Siegfried  is  as  much  a 
king  as  I  am.  He  is  king  of  the  Nibelungs,  and.  after  the 
death  of  his  father  Sigmund,  the  whole  Netherlands  will  belong 
to  him." 

"  It  is  a  strange  story,"  she  said  ;  |(  he  told   me  himself  that 
e  was  your  man." 

"  I  will  explain  it  all  to  you  another  time,"  replied  Gunther ; 
"  we'll  say  no  more  about  it  just  now." 

The  double  wedding  took  place  next  day.  When  the  cere- 
mony was  over,  the  old  queen  showed  her  daughter-in-law  all 
her  possessions,  and  gave  up  to  her  all  authority  in  the  house. 

R 


2s8  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 


"Ah,  mother  Ute,"  said  the  young  wife,  "the  Burgundiana 
are  rich  in  wealth  and  great  in  power ;  but  they  are  poor  in 
wisdom  and  weak  in  action,  otherwise  King  Gunther  never 
would  have  come  to  Isenland." 

Without  waiting  for  an  answer,  she  tiirned  and  left  the 
room. 

The  feast  was  at  an  end,  twilight  had  long  fallen,  and  the 
guests  all  sought  their  beds.  Gunther  and  his  queen  went  to 
their  private  apartments.  When  he  would  have  followed  hef 
into  her  room,  she  barred  the  way,  saying, — 

"  This  is  no  place  for  you ;  you  can  find  a  more  fitting  room 
elsewhere  in  the  palace.  If  I  permitted  you  to  enter,  I  should 
lose  my  great  strength," 

At  first  he  tried  entreaties,  then  threats,  and  lastly  force.  They 
wrestled  together,  but  she  very  soon  mastered  him,  bound  him 
hand  and  foot,  and  left  him  lying  outside  the  door.  He  did 
not  sleep  much  that  night. 

Next  morning,  before  the  household  was  stirring,  the  proud 
queen  loosed  her  husband's  bonds,  desired  him  to  hold  his  peace, 
and  «to  respect  her  will  in  future.  Gunther  was  sad  at  heart 
the  whole  day  long  ;  he  looked  at  his  wife  with  a  feeling  that 
was  almost  horror,  and  often  left  the  feast  to  walk  alone  in 
the  garden.  Siegfried  met  him  there,  and  asked  what  ailed 
him.     When  he  heard  the  strange  story,  he  cried  : 

"  Be  comforted,  dear  comrade ;  we  have  conquered  this  proud 
woman  before,  and  I  think  we  shall  get  the  better  of  her  again. 
I  will  follow  you  to-night,  hidden  under  my  cap  of  darkness, 
when  you  take  the  queen  to  her  room.  Blow  out  the  candles 
and  let  me  take  your  place.  Then  she  shall  have  an  opportunity 
of  trying  her  great  strength  against  me." 

"Ah,  good  comrade,"  said  Gunther,  "I  fear  for  your  life.  Wc 
did  ill  to  bring  her  from    Isenland  to   the    sunny  banks  of   the 


THE    WOOING  OF  BRUNHILD.  259 

Rhine.  She  is  a  demon,  as  Hagen  says,  and  has  her  marvellous 
strength  from  her  friends  the  devils." 

"Well,"  said  Siegfried,  "and  even  if  a  demon  has  taken  up 
his  abode  in  her  heart,  it  shall  go  hard  but  we'll  get  the  better 
of  him.     I  shall  be  with  you  to-night  in  my  cap  of  darkness." 

The  kings  returned  to  the  feast,  Siegfried  looking  as  cheerful 
as  ever,  while  Gunther  was  bowed  down  by  manifold  cares  and 
anxieties.  At  midnight  Gunther  led  Brunhild  to  her  room, 
blew  out  the  candles,  and  immediately  Siegfried  took  his  place. 
The  wrestling  began,  Brunhild  pushed  him  between  the  wall 
and  a  cupboard,  and  tried  to  bind  him  with  her  girdle.  She 
squeezed  his  hands  till  the  blood  spirted  from  under  his  nails. 
Such  a  wrestling-match  was  never  seen  between  a  man  and 
a  maid.  He  used  all  his  hero-might,  and  pressed  her  into  a 
corner  of  the  room  with  such  force,  that,  shivering  and  moaning, 
she  entreated  him  not  to  kill  her,  and  she  would  be  an  obedient 
wife.  No  sooner  did  Siegfried  hear  this  than  he  slipped  softly 
away,  leaving  Gunther  alone  with  the  queen. 

The  wedding  festivities  lasted  eight  days  longer ;  then  the 
guests  took  leave  of  their  host,  and  went  home  with  many 
rich  gifts.  Siegfried  and  his  wife  also  made  ready  for  their 
departure.  The  hero  refused  to  take  any  dowry  with  his  wife, 
for,  in  his  opinion,  the  Nibelung  treasure  was  wealth  enough. 

It  was  on  a  beautiful  day  that  the  travellers  reached  the 
Netherlands.  King  Sigmund  and  Queen  Sigelinde  came  out  to 
meet  them,  and  received  them  with  great  joy.  An  assembly  of 
the  people  was  summoned  to  meet,  and  after  a  short  speech 
from  the  throne,  the  old  king  and  queen  placed  their  crowns  on 
the   heads  of  Siegfried   and   Chriemhild.      The   people  shouted, 

Long  live  our  young  king  and  queen  !  May  they  reign  as 
long  and  as  happily  as  their  forerunners !" 

It   seemed  as  if  the   people's    wish   were   to   be   realized,   for 


26o 


THE  NI BE  LUNG  HERO. 


years  passed  on,  and  all  went  well  with  the  royal  family.  Queen 
Sigelinde  had  the  great  joy  of  holding  a  grandson  in  her  arms. 
The  child  received  the  name  of  Gunther,  in  honour  of  his  uncle 
in  the  distant  Rhineland.  And  King  Gunther,  who  had  a  son 
born  about  the  same  time,  called  the  infant  Siegfried.  Not  long 
after  this  the  old  queen  was  taken  ill  and  died.  This  made 
a  break  in  their  domestic  happiness ;  but  still  there  was  peace 
in  the  realm,  and  along  its  borders. 


V.  TREASON  AND  DEATH. 

TTIGHT  years,  or  thereabouts,  had  come  and  gone,  when 
-■ — '  messengers  arrived  from  Burgundy  inviting  Siegfried 
and  Chriemhild  to  a  great  feast.  They  accepted  the  invitation, 
and  Sigmund  determined  to  accompany  them  to  Worms. 

Brunhild  had  said  one  day  to  her  husband,  "King  Gunther, 
why  does  your  brother-in-law  Siegfried  never  come  to  our 
court  like  the  other  vassals  ?  I  should  like  to  see  both  him 
and  your  sister  Chriemhild.  Pray  send,  and  command  their 
presence  at  court." 

"I  told  you  before,"  answered  Gunther,  somewhat  nettled, 
"  that  my  brother-in-law  is  as  mighty  a  king  as  I.  He  rules 
over  the  Nibelungs  and  the  Netherlands." 

"How  strange!"  she  replied.  "You  cannot  deny  that  he 
called  himself  your  man  when  he  was  in  Isenland." 

"  Oh !  he  only  said  that  to  help  me  in  my  wooing,"  said 
Gunther,  feeling  uncomfortable. 

"You  only  say  that,"  was  her  answer,  "to  make  your  sister 
seem  to  have  a  higher  rank.  But  however  that  may  be,  I  should 
very  much  like  to  see  them  both  at  our  court." 

"Very  well,"  he  answered  kindly,  "I  will  send  messengers  to 
invite  them  to  the  Midsummer  feast,  and  they  will  not  refuse 
to  come." 

b6i 


262  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO, 


He  went  away,  and  did  as  he  had  said.  Brunhild  remained 
alone,  plunged  in  thought. 

"  There  he  goes,"  she  muttered.  "  The  man  that  conquered  the 
once  heroic  maiden,  who  thought  herself  strong  enough  to  brave 
the  battle  like  the  Valkyrs  of  old.  And  he,  what  is  he  but  a  weak 
reed,  moved  hither  and  thither  by  every  breath  of  wind  that 
blows  ?  How  much  greater  Siegfried  is  !  He  is  a  hero  with  the 
world  at  his  feet.  But  then  a  vassal !  To  be  sure,  none  such 
could  dare  to  raise  his  eyes  to  the  queen  of  Isenland.  Had  he 
done  so,  she  must  have  scorned  him,  and  would  scorn  him  to  this 
very  hour." 

Siegfried  and  his  party  came  to  Worms  at  the  appointed  time. 
There  was  no  end  to  the  feasting,  tilting,  and  minstrelsy.  Old  Sig- 
mund  renewed  his  youth  again,  and  delighted  to  talk  of  old  days 
with  the  Lady  Ute,  whom  he  had  known  as  a  child.  The  young 
queens  were  always  together,  at  church,  or  at  the  feast,  or  else  in 
the  gallery  overlooking  the  tilt-yard.  The  only  amusement  to 
which  Chriemhild  did  not  accompany  her  sister-in-law  was  the 
chase. 

One  day  when  they  were  sitting  together  in  the  gallery  watch- 
ing the  feats  of  agility  and  skill  shown  by  the  warriors,  she  said  in 
the  joy  of  her  heart : 

"  Is  not  my  Siegfried  glorious  among  warriors,  like  a  moon 
among  the  pale  stars  of  night }     He  is  a  royal  hero." 

"  He  is  well  deserving  of  your  praise,"  replied  Brunhild,  "  but 
still  he  must  yield  the  first  place  to  my  husband." 

"  Of  a  truth,"  answered  Chriemhild,  "  my  brother  is  a  bold 
warrior,  but  he  does  not  equal  my  husband  in  feats  of  arms." 

"  Why,"  said  Brunhild,  "  did  not  win  he  the  prize  at  Isenstein, 
while  Siegfried  remained  with  the  ship  ? " 

"Do  you  mean  to  accuse  the  Nibelung  hero,  the  dragon- 
queller,  of  cowardice  ? "  cried  the  young  wife  indignantly. 


TREASON  AND  DEATH.  263 

"  He  cannot  stand  so  high  as  the  king  of  Burgundy,"  answered 
Brunhild,  "  for  he  is  not  his  own  man,  but  owes  fealty  to  my 
husband." 

"  You  lie,  proud  woman  !  "  exclaimed  Chriemhild,  her  face  flush- 
ing with  anger,  "you  lie  most  insolently.  My  brother  would 
never  have  let  me  marry  a  man  who  was  not  free.  Siegfried  owes 
no  man  allegiance,  neither  for  Nibelungland  nor  yet  for  Nether- 
land.  The  first  kingdom  he  conquered  with  his  own  right  hand, 
the  other  is  his  inheritance  ;  and  I,  his  queen,  may  hold  my  head 
as  high  as  you." 

"  Try  it,  chatterer !  I  shall  always  walk  into  church  before 
you." 

With  these  words  Brunhild  left  the  gallery.  Chriemhild  felt 
both  hurt  and  angry.  It  was  the  first  grief  that  had  ever  befallen 
her,  and  she  could  not  got  over  it.  She  went  to  her  rooms,  put  on 
her  costliest  garments  and  the  jewels  that  had  come  out  of  the 
Nibelung  treasure ;  then,  followed  by  her  ladies  and  serving-men, 
she  walked  to  the  minster.  Brunhild  was  already  there  with  her 
train.  She  would  have  passed  the  proud  woman  silently,  but  the 
latter  exclaimed  : 

"  Your  husband  is  my  husband's  man,  so  wait  here,  and  let  your 
queen  go  first." 

"  Better  for  you  had  you  held  your  peace,"  said  Chriemhild. 
"  A  paramour  go  before  a  king's  wife,  indeed  ! " 

"  Are  you  mad  t "  asked  Brunhild.     "  What  do  you  mean  ? " 

"  I  will  tell  you  what  I  mean,"  replied  Chriemhild,  "  when  I 
come  out  of  church  ;  "  and  passing  before  her  enemy,  she  went  in 
to  the  house  of  God. 

The  proud  queen  stood  still,  weeping,  at  the  entrance  door. 
Shame  and  anger  struggled  in  her  breast,  and  she  could  scarcely 
wait  till  the  end  of  the  service.  At  length  the  door  opened,  and 
Chriemhild  appeared. 


^64  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 


"  Now,"  exclaimed  Brunhild,  "  stop,  and  explain  what  you 
meant  by  your  insulting  words,  you  wife  of  a  bondsman." 

"  Wife  of  a  bondsman  ?  "  repeated  Chriemhild,  as  though  she 
had  not  heard  the  other  words.  "  Do  you  recognise  the  gold  ring 
on  my  hand  shaped  like  a  serpent  ?  " 

"  It  is  mine,"  said  Bnmhild.  "  Now  I  know  who  stole  it 
from  me." 

"Well,"  continued  Chriemhild,  "maybe  you  also  remember  the 
silken  girdle  I  wear  round  my  waist,  with  its  gold  buckles  and 
precious  stones.  My  husband  gained  both  the  ring  and  the  girdle 
that  night,  when  he,  not  Gunther,  conquered  you." 

Chriemhild  went  her  way  with  the  air  of  a  hero  on  the  day 
of  his  greatest  victory.  The  proud  queen  remained  standing 
where  her  sister-in-law  had  left  her,  her  head  bowed  with  shame. 
She  sent  for  her  husband,  and  when  he  came,  told  him  how  she 
had  been  insulted.  And  Gunther  promised  to  ask  Siegfried  if 
he  had  any  knowledge  of  what  had  taken  place.  He  received 
his  brother-in-law  in  the  royal  hall,  and  in  the  presence  of  many 
of  his  bravest  warriors.  He  told  him  what  had  chanced,  and 
immediately  the  Nibelung  hero  declared,  in  all  good  truth,  that 
he  had  never  spoken  of  dishonour  and  of  the  queen  in  the  same 
breath  ;  adding  that  too  much  weight  should  not  be  laid  on  the 
words  that  women  spoke  in  anger.  He  then  offered  to  clear 
himself  by  a  solemn  oath.  But  Gunther  interrupted  him,  saying 
he  knew  him  of  old,  and  that  his  word  was  as  good  as  his  bond. 

"  Hearken,  then,  ye  men  of  Burgundy,"  said  the  hero ;  "  you 
see  that  I  am  pronounced  innocent  of  causing  the  humiliations 
your  queen  has  endured,  and  indeed  I  have  always  regarded  her 
as  a  modest  woman,  and  a  good  wife.  And  now,  dear  comrade 
Gunther,  chide  your  wife  as  I  shall  chide  mine  for  what  they 
have  this  day  done,  that  we  may  never  again  be  brought  to 
dispeace  by  their  idle  chatter." 


TREASON  AND  DEATH.  265 

He  then  turned  and  left  the  hall  ;  but  many  a  Burguridian 
felt  that  their  queen  had  suffered  a  cruel  wrong. 

Next  day  Brunhild  began  to  make  preparations  for  her  de- 
parture to  Isenland.  The  king  and  his  brothers  entreated  her 
to  stay  ;  but  she  sat  silent  and  immovable  as  a  stone  figure. 

"  We  cannot  let  you  go,"  cried  the  king.  "  We  will  at  any 
cost  expiate  my  sister's  thoughtless  speech.  What  price  do  you 
demand  ? " 

She  rose,  looked  round  the  circle  of  warriors,  and  said  in  a 
hoarse  and  hollow  voice : 

"  Blood !  " 

The  Burgundians  started,  and  stared  at  each  other,  none 
daring  to  speak.     She  continued  in  the  same  tone  : 

"  Not  all  the  waters  of  the  Rhine  could  wash  the  stain  from 
my  honour.     The  heart's  blood  of  yonder  man  alone  can  do  it." 

The  uneasiness  of  the  warriors  increased  ;  but  Hagen  said : 

"  Are  the  bold  Burgundians  grown  weak  with  age  ?  Have 
they  become  children  again  }  I  will  explain  the  matter.  Our 
queen  demands  the  heart's-blood  of  Siegfried.  Ha !  The  words 
seem  to  terrify  you  !  " 

The  Burgundians  exchanged  whispers  about  Siegfried's  strength, 
how  it  were  certain  death  to  fight  with  him,  and,  moreover,  that 
he  was  innocent  of  all  blame  in  the  matter. 

Then  grim  Hagen  turned  to  Brunhild,  and  said,  "Lady,  it  was 
against  my  advice  that  Gunther  went  to  woo  you  in  Isenland  ; 
but  now  that  you  are  our  queen,  your  honour  shall  be  safe  in 
our  hands,     I  will  satisfy  your  desire." 

"  But,"  exclaimed  young  Giselher,  "  it  is  not  the  way  in  Bur- 
gundy to  return  evil  for  good.  Siegfried  has  always  been  true 
to  us,  and  T,  at  least,  will  not  be  false  to  him." 

Hagen  tried  to  persuade  Volker,  the  minstrel,  to  help  him  in 
the  work  of  assassination,  for  Siegfried  was  not  a  man  they  could 


266  THE  NIB E LUNG  Ht.RO. 


attack  openly.  But  Volker  refused.  Ortwin  offered  himself  in 
his  stead,  saying  that  the  mere  fact  of  Siegfried  having  given 
the  ring  and  girdle  to  his  wife  was  an  insult  to  the  queen  of 
Burgundy,  and  must  therefore  be  revenged. 

Gunther  here  broke  in  passionately,  "  Such  a  murder  would 
cast  dishonour  on  all  Burgundy,  and  it  is  my  duty  as  the  king 
to  prevent  it." 

"  Lord  of  the  Rhine,"  cried  Brunhild,  rising  from  her  seat,  "  I 
give  you  three  days  to  think  of  it.  After  that,  I  either  go  to 
Isenland,  or  have  my  revenge."  With  these  words  she  left  the 
room. 

"  No  weapon  can  hurt  him,"  said  the  Margrave  Gere,  "  for  he 
has  bathed  in  dragon's  blood,  and  is  only  vulnerable  in  one 
place,  on  which  a  lime-leaf  fell  when  he  was  doing  it," 

"  If  he  guesses  what  we  are  after,"  added  Sindolt,  "  he  and 
his  thousand  Nibelungs  will  conquer  the  kingdom." 

"  I  will  do  it  by  cunning,"  said  grim  Hagen. 

The  king  could  not  make  up  his  mind  one  way  or  the  other. 
He  would — and  would  not.  And  when  the  warriors  separated, 
nothing  was  settled.  Three  days  later,  when  Gunther  saw  that 
the  queen's  mind  was  fully  made  up,  he  consented  with  a  sigh 
to  let  his  uncle  Hagen  try  his  plan. 

About  this  time  heralds  came  from  Liidegast  and  Ludeger 
to  declare  war  against  Burgundy.  Siegfried  at  once  promised  to 
help  his  brothers-in-law  to  defend  the  country.  The  ladies  were 
all  busy  preparing  the  jerkins  their  husbands  were  to  wear.  One 
day  when  Chriemhild  was  thus  employed,  Hagen  entered  her 
room.  He  bade  her  be  of  good  cheer,  because  the  hero  having 
bathed  in  dragon's  blood  was  invulnerable. 

"Good  friend,"  she  answered  sadly,  "my  Siegfried  is  so  bold 
that  he  often  pushes  into  the  midst  of  the  enemy,  and,  in  such  a 
case,  he  might  easily  be  wounded  in  his  only  vulnerable  point." 


TREASON  AND  DEATH.  267 

Hagen  begged  her  to  embroider  a  little  cross  upon  his  jerkin 
to  mark  the  place,  so  that  he  might  always  cover  it  with  his 
shield.  She  promised  to  do  so,  and  immediately  worked  a  little 
cross  with  silver  thread  upon  the  garment.  Her  anxiety  was 
needless,  for  the  next  day  fresh  messengers  came  to  say  that 
the  kings  had  changed  their  minds  regarding  war,  and  were  now 
determined  to  be  true  to  their  old  alliance.  Soon  after  this, 
Gunther  made  preparations  for  a  great  hunt  to  be  given  in 
honour  of  the  continued  peace.  On  the  morning  on  which  it 
was  to  be  held,  Chriemhild  entreated  her  husband  to  remain  at 
home.  She  had  had  such  terrible  dreams  the  night  before,  that 
she  feared  for  his  life.  He  laughed  at  her,  and  then  kissed 
her,  saying  that  a  bad  dream  would  be  a  foolish  reason  for 
keeping  away  from  the  hunt. 

"  Besides  that,  be  comforted,  dear  wife.  What  harm  can  happen 
to  me .''  I  shall  be  amongst  faithful  friends  and  comrades  all 
day  long.  I  shall  take  Balmung  and  a  sharp  spear  with  me,  and 
I  should  like  to  see  him  who  would  dare  withstand  me." 

He  kissed  her  again,  and  hastened  away.  She  ran  to  the 
window,  and  watched  him  until  he  disappeared  from  sight.  The 
morning  passed  very  pleasantly,  and  then  the  warriors  sat  down 
to  their  mid-day  meal,  which  was  spread  out  on  the  grass.  There 
was  food  in  plenty,  but  the  wine  ran  short.  Hagen  explained 
that  he  had  sent  the  wine  on  to  another  place,  thinking  it  was 
there  they  should  have  dined  ;  but  he  told  his  friends  of  a 
cool  spring  under  a  lime-tree  not  far  off,  and  offered  to  run  a  race 
there  with  Siegfried.  The  latter  laughingly  accepted  the  chal- 
lenge, adding  that  he  would  carry  his  sword  and  hunting-tackle, 
while  Hagen  went  empty-handed,  that  the  race  might  be  more 
equal.  The  two  warriors  ran  across  the  meadow  ground  towards 
the  linden,  and,  as  they  ran,  the  field  flowers  tried  to  stop  bold 
Siegfried,  the  branches  of  the  trees   beckoned  him  to  go  back, 


268  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 

and  the  birds  in  the  linden  sang  sadly  as  though  they  would 
say,  "  Turn  back,  noble  hero,  the  traitor  is  behind  you."  But 
Siegfried  did  not  understand  the  language  of  the  flowers,  trees, 
and  birds.     He  trusted  his  friend  as  himself. 

"  Here  we  are  at  last,"  he  cried  to  the  panting  Hagen.  "  Here 
is  the  clear  spring  ;  see  how  the  water  sparkles.  Let  us  rest  under 
the  cool  shade  of  the  linden,  until  the  king  comes  up,  for  he  must 
have  the  first  draught." 

He  laid  aside  his  sword  and  other  weapons,  and  threw  himself 
on  the  flowery  grass. 

"  How  dull  you  look,"  he  continued  to  Hagen,  "  and  yet  it  is 
such  a  bright  and  beautiful  day,  and  we  have  had  such  good  sport 
this  morning.  Ah,  here  are  the  others.  Come,  Gunther,  we  are 
waiting  for  you.     You  must  have  the  first  draught." 

Gunther  stooped  and  drank  of  the  fresh,  clear  water  of  the  spring, 
then  Siegfried  followed  him,  saying  with  a  laugh  : 

"  I  intend  to  have  a  real  good  drink.  But  do  not  fear,  noble 
friends,  I  shall  leave  you  plenty.  This  spring  is  like  mankind  : 
one  part  goes  down  into  the  earth,  and  another  comes  up  into  the 
light  of  day,  but  it  never  ends." 

"Very  true,"  said  Hagen;  "what  matters  one  life  more  or  less  ?" 

The  Nibelung  hero  bent  over  the  well  and  drank  thirstily,  and, 
as  he  did  so,  Hagen  caught  up  his  spear  and  plunged  it  into  his 
back,  in  the  exact  spot  where  Chriemhild  had  embroidered  the 
silver  cross  on  his  jerkin.  He  did  it  with  such  force,  that  the 
point  of  the  weapon  went  through  his  back  and  came  out  at  his 
chest.  The  wounded  man  sprang  to  his  feet,  and,  not  finding 
his  sword  where  he  had  put  it,  for  it  had  been  removed  by  one 
of  the  conspirators,  seized  his  shield  and  struck  the  murderer  to 
the  ground.  More  he  could  not  do.  He  sank  back  helplessly 
amongst  the  flowers,  which  were  dyed  red  with  his  blood.  The 
silver  stream  was  also  reddened,  and  all  the  sky  was  crimson  with 


TREASON  AND  DEATH.  269 

the  light  of  the  setting  sun.  It  seemed  as  if  nature  were  blushing 
for  the  evil  deed  that  had  just  been  done. 

Once  more  the  hero  feebly  raised  his  beautiful  head,  and  said, 
looking  round  upon  the  Burgundians  : 

"  Ye  murderous  hounds,  what  harm  did  I  ever  do  you  ?  Had 
I  known  of  your  treachery,  ye  had  all  lain  dead  at  my  feet.  A 
devil  from  hell  must  have  tempted  you  to  do  this  foul  deed. 
None  of  you  ventured  to  meet  me  in  open  battle,  and  so  you 
fixed  upon  Hagen  to  do  the  cowardly  deed.  Your  names  will 
be  known  until  the  latest  times  as  those  of  cowardly  traitors. 
And  now.  King  Gunther,  dishonoured  as  you  are  through  this 
ill-deed,  and  weak  of  will,  listen  to  the  words  of  a  dying  man. 
Protect  my  wife,  she  is  your  own  sister,  protect  my  poor  wife 
from  Hagen." 

These  were  the  last  words  of  the  royal  hero. 

The  warriors  stood  silently  around  him,  their  hearts  filled  with 
sorrow  and  repentance.     Gunther  at  length  said  : 

"  We  will  tell  the  people,  who  all  loved  the  dead  man,  that  he 
was  murdered  by  robbers.  Chriemhild  will  never  then  hold  us  to 
blame." 

**  Nay,"  said  Hagen,  "  that  may  not  be.  I  will  not  deny  what 
my  own  cunning  and  my  own  hand  have  done.  Our  queen  has 
now  the  expiation  that  she  demanded,  and  your  honour  required. 
Burgundy  is  safe  from  all  enemies,  for  no  man  was  ever  Siegfried's 
equal,  or  ever  will  be.  What  do  I  care  for  the  complaints  of  a 
people  or  for  the  tears  of  a  woman  ?  Let  us  make  a  bier  of 
branches,  that  the  dead  warrior  may  be  borne  to  Worms  thereon. 
Ha !  here  is  Balmung,  his  good  sword  ;  to-day  it  shall  do  its 
old  master  a  last  service,  and  its  new  master  a  first." 

When  the  bier  was  made,  the  hunting  party  set  out  for  Worms 
in  very  different  fashion  from  that  in  which  they  had  started  in 
the  morning.     They  did  not  arrive  until  late  at  night     It  almost 


270  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 

seemed  as  though  the  dead  hero  inspired  both  warriors  and 
serving-men  with  terror.  None  of  them  would  carry  him  up  the 
staircase.  Hagen  called  them  cowardly  loons,  and  raising  the  body 
on  his  shoulders,  carried  it  up,  and  laid  it  outside  Chriemhild's  door. 
Next  morning  early  the  queen  got  up,  and  made  ready  to  go  to 
the  sanctuary.  She  called  a  chamberlain,  and  he,  seeing  a  dead 
man,  whom  he  did  not  recognise  in  the  half-light,  lying  in  the 
passage,  told  his  mistress.     She  shrieked  aloud  : 

"  It  is  Siegfried !  Hagen  has  murdered  him  at  Brunhild's 
command ! " 

The  servants  brought  lights,  and  they  saw  that  she  had  spoken 
truth.  She  threw  herself  on  her  husband's  body,  and  with  her  tears 
washed  his  face  clear  of  the  blood  stains  that  marred  it.  There 
he  lay  before  her,  pale,  cold,  and  motionless ;  never,  never  again 
should  she  hear  his  voice  ; — never  again.  The  word  rhymed  in  her 
ears,  and  seemed  to  madden  her.  She  would  willingly  have  died 
with  him,  and  have  gone  down  to  the  grave  ;  or,  as  her  fore- 
fathers believed,  have  rejoined  him  in  Freya's  halls. 

Old  Sigmund,  on  hearing  the  news,  uttered  no  word,  but  his 
heart  seemed  broken.  He  kissed  his  son's  wounds,  as  though  he 
hoped  thereby  to  recall  him  to  life.  Suddenly  he  started  to  his 
feet,  and  the  old  spirit  awoke  in  his  heart. 

"Murder!  Vengeance!"  he  cried.  "Up,  Nibelungs,  up,  and 
avenge  your  hero." 

He  hastened  into  the  court,  and  the  Nibelungs,  hearing  his 
words,  crowded  round  him  in  full  armour.  The  old  man  received 
a  sword  and  coat  of  mail  from  them,  but  his  trembling  hands  were 
too  weak  to  hold  them,  and  next  moment  he  had  sank  uncon- 
scious on  the  ground.  The  Burgundians  were  awaiting  the  assault 
with  arms  in  their  hands,  and  grim  Hagen  was  bringing  up  new 
forces  to  help  those  already  there. 

The  Nibelungs  retired,  gnashing  their  teeth. 


T.iEASON  AND  DEATH.  271 

On  the  third  day  after  this,  the  bier  was  taken  to  the  sanctuary 
to  be  blessed  by  the  priest.  The  populace  crowded  into  the  church, 
that  they  might  give  a  last  look  at  the  dead  hero,  who  had  done  so 
much  for  Burgundy.  Chriemhild  stood  by  the  uncovered  coffin, 
which  was  adorned  with  gold  and  precious  stones.  Her  eyes  were 
tearless,  but  all  could  read  her  sorrow  in  her  face  and  bearing.  A 
veiled  woman  passed  close  by  amongst  the  crowd.  Chriemhild 
alone  recognised  her. 

"  Go,  murderess,"  she  cried,  "  do  not  approach  him,  lest  the  very 
dead  should  bear  witness  against  you." 

The  Unknown  vanished  in  the  crowd. 

The  Burgundian  warriors  now  came  to  view  the  corpse,  as 
custom  demanded.  When  Hagen  came  up,  the  wounds  of  the 
dead  man  opened,  and  his  blood  flowed  forth  in  a  warm  stream, 
as  at  the  hour  of  the  murder. 

"  Do  not  stand  there,  assassin,"  said  Chriemhild  ;  "  do  you  not 
see  how  the  dead  bears  witness  against  you  "i " 

The  bold  warrior  remained  where  he  was, 

**  I  do  not  deny  what  my  hand  has  done.  I  only  acted  as  I  was 
bound  to  act  by  my  fealty  to  my  liege  lord  and  his  queen." 

If  Chriemhild  had  had  a  sword  in  her  hand,  and  had  been 
possessed  of  a  man's  strength,  Hagen  had  scarcely  quitted  the 
sanctuary  alive. 

Many  gifts  were  made  to  the  poor  in  honour  of  the  dead 
hero,  who  was  buried  on  the  fourth  day.  The  grave-chamber 
was  richly  decorated,  and  over  it  rose  a  high  mound.  Chriemhild 
followed  the  coffin  to  its  quiet  resting-place.  There  the  lid  was 
opened  once  more  at  her  command.  She  kissed  and  wept 
over  the  pale  face  of  her  husband.  Her  women  at  length  had 
to  bear  her  away,  for  she  would  have  remained  there  for  ever. 
Hagen  was  standing  without,  grim  and  unmoved  as  ever,  and 
said  with  his  usual  fatalism,   "  What  has  happened,   must  needs 


272  THE  NIBELUNG  HERO. 

have  happened.  The  will  of  the  Norns  must  be  done."  The 
queen  did  not  hear  him.  She  did  not  even  see  how  Gunther, 
Gemot,  and  many  of  the  other  warriors  tried  to  hide  their  grief 
and  repentance.     Her  thoughts  were  all  with  the  dead. 

Sigmund  and  the  Nibelungs  prepared  to  return  home.  They 
wanted  to  take  Chriemhild  with  them,  to  guard  her  from  the 
false  Burgundians,  but  she  would  not  leave  her  husband's 
grave,  and  only  begged  the  old  king  and  the  Margrave  Ecke- 
wart  to  take  care  of  her  little  son,  and  bring  him  up  to  be  like 
his  father.  For  she  said  he  was  an  orphan,  fatherless,  and  per- 
haps motherless.  She  had  only  one  wish,  which  she  whispered 
in  the  old  man's  ear — the  wish  for  vengeance.  Sigmund  took 
leave  of  none  but  the  Lady  Ute,  who  mourned  for  Siegfried 
as  if  he  had  been  a  son  of  her  own,  and  of  Giselher,  the 
youngest  of  the  brothers.  Then  he  set  out  for  the  Nether- 
lands. 

Time  passed  on,  and  it  almost  seemed  as  though  Chriemhild 
had  grown  content,  and  had  become  reconciled  to  her  brother. 
Grim  Hagen  alone  seemed  to  fill  her  with  horror,  and  Brunhild 
she  also  avoided.  She,  one  day,  told  her  brother  that  she  wished 
the  Nibelung  treasure  to  be  brought  up  to  Worms,  as  it  was  her 
private  property.  Gunther  rejoiced  at  this  proof  of  her  renewed 
confidence  in  him,  and  at  once  consented  to  send  for  it  Albe- 
rich  delivered  the  treasure  to  the  messengers  without  hesita- 
tion, and  at  length  it  arrived  at  Worms.  The  queen  made 
generous  gifts  to  the  people,  and  whenever  she  found  a  brave 
warrior  who  possessed  but  few  worldly  goods,  she  would  provide 
him  with  all  that  was  necessary  for  his  calling,  and  with 
daily  pay  besides.  So  that  she  gradually  became  complete 
mistress  of  a  small  army,  which  grew  daily  larger,  and  more 
powerful. 

Hagen  warned  the  kings  of  this;  he  told  them  that  the  Lady 


TREASON  AND  DEA  TH.  273 

Chriemhild  meditated  vengeance.  He  did  not  care  for  his  own 
life,  he  said,  but  the  fair  land  of  Burgundy  must  not  fall  into 
her  hands.  The  only  way  that  he  could  see  of  preventing  this 
consummation  would  be  for  the  kings  to  take  the  Nibelung 
treasure  under  their  own  care.  The  brothers  would  not  con- 
sent. Gemot  said  that  enough  harm  had  been  done  to  their 
sister  already  without  heaping  small  indignities  on  her.  Once, 
when  his  liege  lords  were  absent,  Hagen,  who  had  always  con- 
sidered that  prevention  was  better  than  cure,  called  his  men 
together,  and  fell  upon  the  warders  who  had  charge  of  the 
Nibelung  treasure.  He  carried  ofif  all  that  remained  of  it,  and 
sank  it  in  the  deep  waters  of  the  Rhine.  It  was  of  little  use 
that  the  kings  heard  of  his  ill-deed  on  their  return ;  it  was  of 
little  use  that  Chriemhild  made  indignant  complaint:  the  deed 
was  done,  and  could  not  be  undone. 

"  If  you  were  not  our  uncle,"  said  Gunther  and  Gemot,  "  this 
should  have  cost  you  your  life." 

A  short  time  afterwards,  Hagen  showed  his  nephews  the 
place  in  the  Rhine  where  he  had  hidden  the  treasure,  and 
made  them  swear  that  none  of  them  would  betray  its  hiding- 
place  as  long  as  one  of  them  was  alive.  Chriemhild  was  sad 
and  sorrowful  as  before ;  she  always  sat  with  her  mother,  and 
embroidered  tapestry  in  which  she  depicted  the  scene  of  Bal- 
dur's  death,  and  showed  how  he  was  cruelly  slain  by  his 
brother  Hoder,  and  how  Nanna  died  of  a  broken  heart,  and 
shared  her  husband's  bier.  But  in  Baldur  every  one  recognised 
the  features  of  her  hero,  and  in  Nanna  her  own  ;  while  Hoder 
had  the  features,  garments,  and  murderous  weapon  of  grin) 
Hagen.  She  often  held  the  needle  suspended  in  her  fingers, 
and  sat  watching  the  picture  thoughtfully.  When  the  Lady 
Ute  asked  her,  on  such  occasions,  "  What  are  you  thinking  of, 
my  child  }  "  she  would  answer,  "  I  was  thinking  of  Hagen." 

S 


THE  NIBELUNGS'   WOE. 

I. 

KING   ETZEL'S   WOOING. 

OME  welcome  guests  arrived 
at  Worms.   Margrave  Riidiger 
^^^^^  of   Bechelaren,   surnamed   "the 

*'''  /^WiP'^^^^ '  -^^  Good,"  came  with  some  of  his 
warriors  to  the  Burgundian  court.  Gunther,  Gemot,  and  Hagen 
were  old  acquaintances  of  his,  and  he  had  often  held  young 
Giselher  on  his  knees  as  a  child.  Now  that  he  came  to  the 
house  of  mourning,  his  gentle,  noble  spirit  had  such  an  effect 
on  Chriemhild  that  she  would  sometimes  accompany  her  mother 


KING  ETZEL'S   WOOING.  275 

to  the  hall,  and  listen  to  the  Margrave  with  a  gentle  smile, 
such  as  had  not  been  seen  on  her  face  since  her  hero's  death. 
But  if  Brunhild  or  Hagen  entered,  she  would  go  away  at 
once. 

Days  and  weeks  passed  on,  and  at  last  Gunther  said  to  his 
guest  that  he  fancied  the  Margrave  had  not  come  merely  for 
the  pleasure  of  renewing  an  old  acquaintance,  but  had  some- 
thing on  his  mind.     Then  Riidiger  answered : 

"  Well,  King  Gunther,  I  will  tell  you  what  brings  me  here. 
You  know  that  good  Queen  Helche,  the  faithful  helpmeet  of 
my  liege  lord  King  Etzel,  died  some  years  ago,  and  that  her 
sons  were  slain  in  battle  by  Wittich.  The  king  of  the  Huns  has 
long  sat  lonely  in  the  wide  halls  of  Etzelburg,  but  he  has  now 
made  up  his  mind  to  marry  again.  He  consulted  me  on  the 
subject,  and  I  advised  him  to  try  and  win  the  hand  of  the  noble 
Lady  Chriemhild,  your  sister  and  the  widow  of  heroic  Siegfried. 
If  you  will  give  your  consent  to  the  match,  I  am  empowered  to 
say  that  she  shall  be  queen  of  the  Huns." 

"She  is  no  longer  under  my  charge,"  was  the  answer;  "she 
is  queen  of  the  Nibelungs,  and  of  the  Netherlands,  and  I  fear 
that  she  will  not  be  willing  to  marry  again." 

"  I  will  take  her  the  good  news,"  said  Giselher,  "  and  mother 
Ute  will  advise  her  to  do  as  we  wish." 

The  young  warrior  immediately  rose,  and  went  to  the  women's 
apartment.  He  found  his  sister  busied  as  usual  with  her  embroid- 
ery. He  told  her  that  it  was  time  she  should  give  up  grieving 
so  much  for  her  dead  husband,  and  reminded  her  that  she  was 
still  young,  and  might  yet  be  happy.  Then  he  told  her  what 
Riidiger  had  related  of  Etzel's  court,  its  greatness  and  its  glory, 
and  finally  told  her  of  Etzel's  wooing.  But  Chriemhild  answered 
with  solemn  firmness,  that  she  would  not  leave  the  grave-mound 
in  which  all  she  loved  was  buried. 


?76  THE  NI BE  LUNGS'    WOE 


Then  mother  Ute  spoke.  "  If  you  will  be  Etzel's  queen,  my 
child,  you  will  be  the  most  powerful  of  women." 

•'  Most  powerful  of  women,"  repeated  the  daughter  thoughtfully. 
"  Look,  Giselher,"  she  went  on,  pointing  to  her  embroidery,  "  you 
know  whom  that  hero  is  intended  to  represent  "i " 

He  shook  his  head,  and  she  added,  "  It  is  Wali,  the  Avenger, 
of  whom  our  fathers  said  that  he  revenged  Baldur,  and  sent  dark 
Hoder  to  his  own  place." 

"  These  are  old  wives'  stories  that  are  forgotten  now,"  answered 
Giselher.  "  Let  us  speak  of  him  in  whose  name  good  Rudiger 
is  come  to  woo  you." 

"Yes — but  what  if  it  were  to  be  fulfilled  ?  "  she  said,  "perhaps 
— Ask  the  Margrave  to  come  to  me,  that  I  may  hear  his  wooing 
myself." 

Giselher  left  the  room,  and  the  Lady  Ute  went  out  also,  leaving 
Chriemhild  alone,  as  she  requested. 

"Siegfried,"  said  the  young  queen,  "it  is  for  your  sake  that 
I  leave  your  resting-place,  from  whence  you  have  so  often  come 
to  me,  in  waking  and  in  sleep,  and  pointed  to  your  wounds — 
those  gaping,  bleeding  wounds,  that  will  never  close  until  it  is 
granted  me  to  send  grim  Hoder  down  to  dark  Hella." 

RUdiger  appeared,  and  in  courteous  fashion  wooed  the  queen 
in  his  master's  name  ;  but  not  till  he  had  promised,  in  the  name 
of  t'he  god  Irmin,  that  she  should  have  men  to  fight  her  battles 
when  she  needed  them,  did  she  consent  to  go  to  the  land  of 
the  wild  Huns,  and  to  become  Etzel's  wife. 

The  Burgundians  all  rejoiced  when  Rudiger  told  them  the 
good  news,— the  three  royal  brothers  especially,  for  now,  they 
thought,  their  sister  would  again  be  happy.  But  Hagen  came 
to  them,  and  said, — 

"What  are  you  thinking  of,  that  you  thus  call  the  lightning 
down   on  our  heads?      Do  not  give  your  sister  to  the  king  of 


KING  ETZEL'S   WOOING.  077 

the  Huns.  Between  the  widow  of  Siegfried  and  us,  such  friend- 
ship alone  can  exist  as  that  between  fire  and  water.  Either  must 
the  one  be  quenched,  or  the  other  fly  off  in  steam.  It  is  a 
childish  action  to  supply  one's  enemy  with  a  sword  to  cut  off 
one's  head."  '  ' 

But  the  brothers  refused  to  listen  to  his  warnings.  Preparations 
now  went  on  apace  for  the  journey  to  Etzelburg.  Ambassadors 
\Vere  sent  to  the  Nibelungs  and  to  the  Netherlands  to  tell  them 
of  the  queen's  contemplated  marriage.  They  returned  with  a 
numerous  company  of  warriors  and  servants.  At  length  all  was 
ready,  the  kings  went  with  their  sister  as  far  as  the  Danube, 
where  they  took  leave  of  her,  and  Margrave  Rudiger  took  their 
place  as  leader  of  the  travelling  party.  At  the  borders  of  the 
land.  King  Etzel  with  a  large  following  awaited  the  queen's 
arrival.  His  face  lighted  up  with  pleasure  when  he  saw  the 
pale,  beautiful  countenance  of  the  Lady  Chriemhild.  He  told 
her  that  she  should  have  full  power  over  his  treasures  and  his 
lands, — that,  in  short,  she  should  be  his  queen.  She  answered 
that  she  would  be  a  faithful  and  obedient  wife,  but  that  her  love 
was  buried  with  Siegfried.  The  king  paid  no  attention  to  the 
last  words.  He  made  sure  of  winning  her  love  through  kindness 
and  affection.  And  so  they  went  on  together  to  Etzelburg. 
The  marriage  festivities  lasted  a  fortnight,  and  were  celebrated 
in  the  usual  way. 

Chriemhild  took  little  part  in  the  rejoicings.  She  did  all  that 
she  had  to  do,  thinking  of  Siegfried  the  while.  Now,  amongst 
the  warriors  present,  there  was  one  who  was  famed  for  his 
unusual  strength,  bold  Dietrich  of  Bern.  His  thoughts  were  far 
away  in  the  beautiful  land  of  the  Amelungs,  which  his  uncle 
Ermenrich  had  taken  from  him  by  guile  and  force.  He  longed 
to  return  to  his  own  people,  and  win  the  victory  for  them  ;  but 
Etzel  would  not  give  him  the  necessary  help.     Sometimes,  as  he 


2-8 


THE  NT  BE  LUNGS'   WOE. 


sat  grave  and  sad  in  the  great  hall,  while  other  men  were  laughing 
and  talking,  the  queen  would  go  to  him,  and  tell  him  of  Hagen's 
foul  deed.  He  understood  that  she  wished  to  woo  him  to 
vengeance,  but  he  was  silent,  for  he  neither  could  nor  would 
raise  his  sword  against  the  Burgundian  warriors  who  had  been 
his  faithful  comrades  in  the  olden  time. 

Months  and  years  passed  on  ;  a  little  boy  was  born  to  the 
royal  pair.  He  was  the  image  of  his  mother,  and  received  the 
name  of  Ortlieb.  The  king  and  country  rejoiced  equally  in 
the  birth  of  an  heir  to  the  throne.  For  his  son's  sake,  Etzel 
loved  his  wife  more  than  he  had  ever  done  before,  and  would 
have  given  her  anything  she  chose .  to  ask  ;  but  she  cared  for 
nothing  ;  she  remained  grave,  quiet,  thoughtful  about  her  duties, 
but  sparing  of  her  words.  Even  her  little  boy,  carefully  as  she 
tended  him,  did  not  bring  her  happiness.  She  was  never  seen 
to  smile  even  on  him.  The  wound  that  her  first  husband's  death 
had  dealt  her  would  not  heal.  The  spirit  of  vengeance,  rising 
out  of  the  abyss,  never  ceased  to  whisper  in  her  ears,  "  Blood 
for  blood,  murder  for  murder,"  and  her  cars  were  open  to  its 
cry. 


^^ 


11.   THE   BURGUNDIANS   VISIT   HUNLAND. 

The  Journey. 
/'~\NE  day  when  the  king  was  playing  with  little  Ortlieb,  and 
^-^  speaking  to  his  mother,  he  said  how  much  he  wished  that 
the  child  should  one  day  be  a  hero  like  Siegfried.  She  nearly 
shrieked  when  she  heard  the  name,  but  forcing  herself  to  be  quiet, 
begged  her  husband  to  invite  her  brothers  and  their  friends  to 
come  on  a  visit  to  the  land  of  the  Huns.  It  was  the  first  request 
that  she  had  ever  made,  and  so  King  Etzel  was  overjoyed  to  hear 
it.  He  despatched  the  minstrels  Swemmeling  and  Worbeling, 
with  four  and  twenty  noble  warriors,  to  invite  the  Burgundian 
kings  to  the  Midsummer  festival.  And  Chriemhild  sent  a  special 
message  to  her  mother,  begging  her  to  come  too.  In  spite  of 
Hagen's  remonstrances,  the  three  kings  accepted  Etzel's  invitation. 

Hagen  prepared  for  the  journey  as  though  they  were  setting  out 
on  a  campaign,  and  not  to  a  feast.  The  Lady  Ute  would  have 
liked  to  go,  but  her  age  and  infirmities  hindered  her  taking  so  long 
a  journey.  Brunhild  also  remained  at  home,  for  she  had  no  desire 
to  see  her  enemy's  good  fortune ;  besides,  she  had  long  given 
up  caring  for  festivals  ;  she  only  cared  tc  spend  her  time  near 
Siegfried's  grave-mound. 

"  The  Nibelungs  are  going  to  visit  the  Huns,"  said  the  common 
people,  as  they  watched  King  Etzel's  visitors  crossing  the  Rhine; 
for,  ever  since  the  treasure  had  come  into  the  country,  the  kings 

879 


28o  THE  NIB E LUNGS'   WOE. 

and  their  followers  had  been  called  Nibclungs,  after  the  unknown 
land. 

The  travellers  rode  for  twelve  days  through  the  Black  Forest 
and  many  waste  places,  till  they  reached  the  Danube.  At  the 
borders  of  Bavaria  neither  inn  nor  ferryman  was  to  be  found. 
While  the  rest  made  preparations  to  encamp  for  the  night,  Hagen 
went  deeper  into  the  inhospitable  land,  and  came  to  a  spring  that 
ran  into  a  small  lake.  There  he  saw  some  women  bathing  in 
the  clear  water,  and  at  once  knew  that  they  were  swan-maidens. 
Seeing  him,  they  swam  away,  but  he  got  possession  of  their  feather 
garments,  which  obliged  them  to  speak  to  him. 

"  Give  us  back  our  garments,"  said  one  of  them,  "  and  I  will 
tell  you  of  the  future." 

He  promised  to  do  as  she  desired,  if  she  would  tell  him  how 
their  journey  should  end.  She  then  prophesied  pleasant  things 
to  him,  and  the  hero  gave  back  all  the  swan-garments.  No  sooner 
had  he  done  this,  than  another  of  the  maidens  informed  him  that 
her  sister  had  spoken  words  of  guile,  for  that,  far  from  the  happy 
ending  she  had  foretold,  the  priests  alone  of  all  that  numerous  com- 
pany should  ever  see  the  Rhine  again ;  as  for  the  warriors,  they 
should  all  die  by  the  sword,  if  they  did  not  at  once  return  home. 
Hagen  answered  that  he  was  ready  to  defend  himself  and  his 
kings,  and  then  asked  how  to  cross  the  river.  The  swan-maidens 
directed  him  where  he  should  find  a  ferryman,  and  then  flew 
away, 

Hagen  followed  the  advice  given  him,  and  brought  his  company 
down  to  the  ferry.  The  boatman  turned  out  to  be  an  old  enemy, 
so  after  a  hand-to-hand  encounter,  he  was  slain,  and  Hagen  took  his 
place.  When  they  were  halfway  across  the  river,  Hagen  flung 
the  priest,  who  accompanied  them,  overboard,  that  at  least  one 
portion  of  the  swan-maiden's  prophecy  might  come  to  nought. 
But  he  had   miscalculated   in  this  instance;   the  priest's  floating 


THE   BURGUNDIANS    VISIT  HUNLAND.  281 

garments  upheld  him  on  the  turbulent  waters,  and  the  current 
drove  him  back  to  the  shore. 

"  The  holy  man  has  the  devil's  own  luck,"  said  the  grim  warrior. 
"  I  care  not,  however.  What  must  be,  will  be,  as  the  Norns  used 
to  say." 

The  travellers  pursued  their  journey  rather  more  rapidly  than 
before.  At  length,  after  meeting  with  several  adventures,  they 
arrived  at  Margrave  Riidiger's  castle,  where  they  met  with  a  hearty 
reception  from  their  old  friend  and  his  wife.  During  their  visit 
to  Bechelaren,  Giselher  fell  in  love  with  fair  Dietelinde,  the  only 
daughter  of  the  house,  and  wooed  her  through  his  brother.  So, 
according  to  old  custom,  the  youth  and  the  maiden  were  called 
to  appear  before  the  whole  company  in  the  great  hall  of  the  castle, 
and  say  whether  they  were  willing  to  be  man  and  wife.  Giselher 
did  not  hesitate  for  a  moment.  His  "yes"  was  loud  and  clear. 
But  fair  Dietelinde  blushed,  and  looked  down,  and  her  whispered 
**yes"  was  only  obtained  in  response  to  a  second  demand.  Then 
Giselher  clasped  her  in  his  arms,  and  gave  her  the  kiss  of  betrothal. 
The  bond  was  therefore  sealed  for  life. 

The  Burgundians,  or  Nibelungs  as  they  were  generally  called, 
remained  at  Bechelaren  for  many  days,  and  when  they  went  away, 
their  host  pressed  all  manner  of  costly  gifts  upon  them.  Hagen 
refused  to  receive  anything  in  the  way  of  ornament,  and  only 
begged  for  a  strong  shield  that  hung  on  the  wall  amongst  other 
pieces  of  armour. 

"  It  is  Nudung's  shield,  and  he,  our  only  son,  was  slain  by  faith- 
less Wittich,"  said  the  Margravine ;  "  take  it,  noble  hero,  and  may 
it  guard  you  well." 

The  travellers  continued  their  journey,  and  arrived  at  the  land 
of  the  Huns,  on  the  borders  of  which  they  were  met  by  Dietricu 
and  many  other  warriors.  Accompanied  by  these,  and  by  Rudiger 
they  at  length  arrived  at  Etzelburg.     The  queen  came  down  to 


282  THE  NIB E LUNGS'   WOE. 

meet  them  in  the  castle  court.  She  greeted  the  kings,  and  kissed 
young  Giselher,  but  scarcely  seemed  to  see  the  warriors  who  ac- 
companied them.     Hagen  was  angry,  and  said, — 

"When  one  comes  as  an  invited  guest,  one  is  accustomed  to 
hear  one's  host  at  least  say  '  Welcome.'  This  praiseworthy  custom 
does  not  seem  to  obtain  in  the  land  of  the  Huns." 

"  Lord  Hagen  of  Tronje,"  said  Chriemhild,  "  have  you  done 
anything  to  gain  such  greeting?  Have  you,  perchance,  brought 
me  some  of  the  stolen  Nibelung  treasure  ?  " 

"It  lies  deep  sunk  in  the  Rhine,"  replied  the  warrior,  "and 
there  it  will  remain  till  the  end  of  time.  But  had  I  known  that 
you  desired  a  gift,  I  am  rich  enough  to  have  brought  you  one." 

"  I  can  do  without  it,"  said  the  queen,  "  I  too  am  rich ;  I  only 
thought  you  might  perhaps  have  desired  to  restore  to  me  my  own 
again." 

"  I  find  my  shield,  helmet,  sharp  sword,  and  coat  of  mail  a  heavy 
enough  weight  to  carry,"  replied  the  hero,  "but  I  promise  to  try 
and  bring  you  the  devil.     He  has  much  rich  treasure." 

"  I  do  not  need  your  gifts,"  cried  the  queen,  "  nor  do  I  desire 
them.  You  have  served  me  ill  enough  in  time  past  with  your 
murderous  and  thievish  hand.  I  have  not  yet  requited  you  for 
what  you  have  already  done  for  me." 

She  turned  away  in  anger,  and  calling  her  men-at-arms  around 
her,  promised  to  reward  whoever  avenged  Siegfried's  death. 

The  queen  then  asked  her  brothers  to  divest  themselves  of  their 
armour,  as  it  was  not  customary  to  appear  in  the  panoply  of  war 
before  King  Etzel.  Hagen  at  once  advised  them  not  to  do  so, 
warning  them  of  the  consequences  in  plain  terms. 

Chriemhild  exclaimed,  that  she  would  give  much  to  know 
whose  advice  he  was  following  in  this  matter ;  then  the  Amelung 
hero  came  fonvard,  and  boldly  avowed  that  it  was  he  who  had 
given  this  counsel,  for  he  knew  well  the  devilish  plots  that  were 


THE  BURGUNDIANS   VISIT  HUNLAND.  283 

being  contrived  in  the  palace.  The  queen  only  answered  him 
with  an  angry  look,  and  at  once  retired  to  her  apartments. 

While  the  kings  talked  together  in  the  friendliest  fashion,  the 
Hunnish  warriors  looked  askance  at  the  Burgundians.  Hagen, 
desirous  of  showing  that  he  felt  no  fear,  asked  one  of  his  comrades 
to  go  with  him  to  the  inner  court  to  await  the  coming  of  the 
queen.  His  familiar  friend,  Volker  the  minstrel,  declared  himself 
ready.  They  seated  themselves  on  a  bench  near  the  queen's 
hall  As  they  sat  there — Hagen  with  his  good  sword  Balmung 
laid  across  his  knees — Chriemhild  came  down  the  steps,  and 
asked  him  why  he  had  hated  her  so,  and  why  he  had  slain  the 
noble  Siegfried. 

"  Well,"  he  said,  "  I  never  denied  that  I  did  it.  The  queen 
of  Burgundy  was  insulted  for  his  sake,  and  the  royal  house 
dishonoured.  The  shame  had  to  be  washed  out  with  blood,  and 
as  the  hero  was  too  strong  to  attack  in  the  open  field,  he  had 
to  be  slain  by  cunning.  Any  one  may  blame  me,  any  one  may 
strive  to  avenge  the  deed,  I  am  not  afraid.  I  have  no  cap  of 
darkness,  and  am  easily  to  be  found." 

Then  Chriemhild  turned  to  her  serving-men,  and  desired  them 
to  slay  the  slanderer  of  their  queen,  and  the  treacherous  murderer 
of  Siegfried.  But  the  two  brave  men  were  so  terrible  to  look 
upon,  that  none  of  the  Huns  dared  touch  them,  although  the 
queen  offered  them  much  gold.  They  then  went  their  way,  and 
the  queen  returned  to  her  apartments,  blushing  with  shame. 

A  message  now  came  from  King  Etzel  begging  the  Burgundians 
to  visit  him  in  his  palace.  They  accepted  the  invitation,  and  he 
greeted  them  like  old  friends.  After  having  welcomed  the  heroes, 
he  said  that  he  should  very  much  like  to  know  who  the  two 
warriors  were  that  looked  so  brave,  and  stood  so  close  together. 

"They  are  Volker  the  minstrel,  and  my  uncle  Hagen  of 
Tronje,"  replied  King  Gunther. 


284  THE  NIBELUNGS"    WOE. 

"  What,  Hagen  !  "  cried  Etzel.  "  So  we  have  met  again  at  last, 
old  friend,  and  I  can  tell  you  to  your  face  that  you  have  not  belied 
the  promise  of  your  youth.  But  you  are  much  changed  in  your 
looks  from  what  you  were  in  the  old  days  when  I  was  proud 
of  your  brave  deeds  in  my  service,  and  set  you  free,  to  return  to 
Burgundy.  You  have  lost  an  eye  since  then,  your  hair  is  mixed 
with  grey,  and  your  face  has  grown  so  rugged  that  you  might 
alarm  the  boldest  warrior  when  you  swing  your  broadsword." 

"  Who  can  tell,"  replied  the  hero,  "  how  soon  I  may  have  to  do 
it  again  "i " 

"  Never  in  the  land  of  the  Huns,"  answered  the  king ;  "  you,  like 
all  Burgundians,  are  a  favoured  guest." 

The  evening  passed  quietly,  and  it  was  nearly  midnight  before 
the  Burgundians  were  led  to  the  great  hall,  where  couches  were 
spread  for  them  with  down  cushions  covered  with  gold  embroidery. 
They  agreed  with  Hagen  that  it  would  be  well  to  keep  watch 
during  the  night  for  fear  of  surprise,  and  that  each  man  should 
place  his  weapons  where  he  could  get  them  at  a  moment's  notice. 

Hagen  and  Volker  kept  guard.  They  had  been  seated  for  some 
time  in  silence,  when  all  at  once  the  minstrel  saw  helmets  and 
shields  glancing  in  the  starlight.  He  pointed  them  out  to  his 
companion,  who  knew  that  they  were  the  queen's  men,  and  needed 
no  telling  to  inform  him  on  what  errand  they  were  come.  The 
minstrel  wanted  to  spring  out  upon  them,  but  Hagen  prevented 
him,  because  some  of  the  enemy  might  then  have  slipped  into 
the  hall,  and  perhaps  murdered  their  sleeping  friends.  So  peace 
was  preserved  for  the  time;  and  at  dawn,  the  Burgundians 
marched  to  the  sanctuary  to  keep  the  solemn  Midsummer  festival. 
King  Etzel  appeared  with  his  train,  and  asked,  in  astonishment, 
why  they  wore  their  armour.  But  they  answered  that  such  was 
their  custom,  not  thinking  it  well  to  tell  him  what  had  happened 
during  the  night 


THE  BURGUNDIANS    VISIT  HUNLAND.  285 

After  the  service  was  over,  a  great  repast  was  served,  which  was 
in  turn  succeeded  by  games,  dances,  music,  and  other  entertain- 
ments. In  all  feats  of  arms  and  trials  of  skill  in  the  lists,  the 
Nibelungs  showed  themselves  better  men  than  the  Huns.  At 
length  the  games  appeared  to  be  over,  and  the  warriors  desired 
to  rest  after  their  exertions.  As  they  were  leaving  the  scene  of 
contest,  a  prince  of  the  Huns  presented  himself  in  shining  armour, 
and  offered  to  try  his  skill  against  the  strangers,  who,  he  alleged, 
had  hitherto  only  measured  their  strength  with  the  common 
people,  and  not  with  the  princes.  Bold  Volker  caught  his  spear 
more  firmly  in  his  hand,  and  turned  to  accept  the  challenge.  His 
thrust  was  so  shrewd  that  he  wounded  the  Hun  severely,  and 
a  cry  of  "  Murder,  down  with  the  murderer ! "  arose  on  every 
side.  A  free  fight  would  have  begun  in  another  minute,  had  not 
King  Etzel  thrown  himself  between  the  belligerents,  and  threat- 
ened death  to  any  of  his  people  who  hurt  one  of  his  guests. 
Peace  was  then  outwardly  restored ;  but  the  sullen  glances  each 
side  cast  on  the  other,  showed  the  angry  turmoil  in  every  heart. 

That  evening,  Etzel  sent  for  his  little  son  into  the  hall,  that  he 
might  present  him  to  his  guests.  The  warriors  all  admired  the 
handsome,  frank-mannered  child,  and  told  the  father  that  they 
did  so ;  but  Hagen  said  he  did  not  think  the  boy  would  live  to 
grow  up,  he  looked  so  delicate. 

This  speech  of  Hagen's  increased  the  bad  feeling  of  the  Huns 
towards  the  Burgundians  tenfold ;  but  no  one  betrayed  his 
thoughts.  A  little  later,  a  great  noise  was  heard  in  the  court 
without — shouts,  the  clang  of  armour,  howls  and  cries. 

The  First  Blood.    Blodelin  and  Dankwart 

Before  the  warriors  went  to  the  feast  that  evening.  Queen 
Chriemhild  had  spoken  privately  to  the  hero  of  Bern.  She 
promised  him  Etzel's  help  in  regaining  his  kingdom,  if  he  would 


2S6  THE  NIBELUSGS'   WCE. 

do  her  one  service — if  he  would  avenge  Siegfried's  death.  But 
he  told  her  that  he  could  not,  for  the  Burgundian  warriors  were 
old  friends  and  comrades  of  his  ;  besides,  he  reminded  her,  that 
they  had  come  to  Etzelburg  in  all  good  faith  and  loyalty. 
A  few  minutes  after  Dietrich  had  left  her  sad  and  hopeless, 
Blodelin,  Etzel's  brother,  came  m,  and  told  the  queen  of  what  had 
happened  that  afternoon  in  the  tilting  ground.  Seeing  how  hot 
his  anger  was,  Chriemhild  thought  she  might  perhaps  succeed 
in  gaining  him  over  to  her  cause.  She  therefore  told  him  of  the 
unavenged  death  of  Siegfried,  and  promised  him  a  rich  treasure 
of  silver  and  gold  if  he  would  do  her  will.  But  he  refused,  from 
fear  of  Etzel's  anger.  Upon  which,  the  wise  woman  offered  him 
a  margravate  in  addition,  with  lands  and  towers,  and  the  hand 
of  a  beautiful  maiden  of  her  court,  whom  he  had  long  wooed,  and 
wooed  in  vain.  These  promises  gained  him  to  her  will.  He  told 
her  that  he  would  cause  a  quarrel  to  spring  up  between  the  men 
on  either  side,  and  if  Hagen  came  to  try  and  settle  matters, 
he  would  have  him  overpowered,  and  carried  to  the  queen  in 
bonds. 

Chriemhild  then  retired  to  her  chamber,  which  was  pervaded  by 
a  soft  light,  the  curtains  of  Indian  silk  keeping  off  the  rays  of  the 
sun.  As  she  sat  there  thinking,  the  words  that  her  mother  had 
once  spoken  rushed  into  her  memory.  "Women  often  strike 
deeper  wounds  and  shed  more  blood  with  their  tongues  than  men 
with  their  swords."  She  would  have  started  up,  and  recalled 
Blodelin  ;  but  at  the  same  moment  she  saw,  as  distinctly  as  \i 
it  had  really  been  there,  Siegfried's  bier  with  the  dead  warrior 
stretched  upon  it.  She  saw  him  raise  himself,  and  stretch  out  his 
arms  to  her ;  but  when  she  started  forward  to  meet  him,  there  was 
nothing  but  empty  air.  She  determined  now  to  go  on  to  the  bitter 
end.  Whether  her  vengeance  brought  about  the  death  of  her 
little  son,  and  of  King  Etzel ;  whether  it  brought  about  the  dc- 


THE  BURGUNDIANS   VISIT  HUNLAND.  287 

Btruction  of  the  kingdom,  she  did  not  care.  She  could  die,  and 
die  willingly,  if  only  she  had  the  murderer's  life. 

Meantime,  Blodelin  was  making  his  preparations.  His  men 
were  rejoiced  to  hear  the  news  he  brought  them,  and  followed 
him  joyously  to  the  hall,  where  Dankwart  the  Marshal,  Hagen's 
brother,  had  charge  over  the  serving-men.  The  hero  rose  from 
his  seat  to  greet  the  prince,  who  exclaimed  : 

"  Prepare  to  die.  The  queen  demands  a  bloody  atonement  for 
the  death  of  the  great  Siegfried." 

"  But  why  should  I  have  to  expiate  a  murder  of  which  I  knew 
nothing  ? " 

"  That  cannot  be  helped,"  said  the  Hun  ;  "  my  men's  swords 
cannot  return  unstained  to  their  sheaths." 

"  Then  I  am  sorry  that  I  gave  you  words  of  peace.  I  shall 
now  give  you  your  answer  with  cold  steel." 

With  that  he  drew  his  sword,  and  swung  it  so  lustily  at  the 
warrior's  neck  that  his  head  fell  to  the  ground  at  one  blow. 

Wild  shrieks  r.nd  shouts  of  vengeance  arose,  and  all  prepared 
to  take  part  in  the  fight  that  had  become  inevitable.  Dankwart 
made  his  way  fighting  to  the  hall,  his  armour  bespattered  with 
blood  ;    but   the   defenceless  serving-men   were  slain  to   a    man. 

"  Up,  brother  Hagen ! "  he  cried,  "  save  me  from  the  faithless 
Huns.  Lord  Blodelin  attacked  both  me  and  the  servants,  in  order 
to  avenge  Siegfried's  death.  I  slew  him,  but  the  servants  are  all 
dead,  and  I  alone  am  escaped  out  of  the  traitorous  toils  that  the 
Huns  have  laid  for  us.' 

The  Slaughter.  ' 

The  fight  recommenced  in  the  banqueting  hall,  in  spite  of  all 
King  Gunther's  efforts  to  smooth  matters  over,  and  during  the 
struggle  the  little  Prince  Ortlieb,  the  sole  hope  of  Etzel's  house, 


tS8  THE  NIB E LUNGS'    WOE. 

tvas  killed.  At  length  Hagen,  Dankwart,  and  Volker,  succeeded 
in  locking  and  bolting  the  doors  of  the  hall. 

Etzel  and  the  queen  sat  full  of  anxious  care  during  the  melee. 
Dietrich  and  Riidiger,  neither  of  whom  took  part  in  the  fight,  were 
also  grave  and  sad.     At  length  the  hero  of  Bern  exclaimed : 

"Listen  to  me,  Nibelungs.  Hearken  to  my  words,  ye  friends 
of  Burgundy.  Grant  me  a  truce  that  I  and  my  men  and  Margrave 
Riidiger  may  go  away  unharmed." 

King  Gunther  recognised  Dietrich's  voice,  and  said  :  "  If  any 
of  my  warriors  has  done  harm  to  you  or  yours,  noble  hero  of  Bern, 
I  shall  take  your  cause  into  my  own  hands." 

"  No  one  has  done  me  harm,"  replied  the  warrior ;  "  all  that  I 
request  is  that  you  should  let  us  go  freely." 

"  What  is  the  good  of  so  much  requesting  ?  "  cried  hot-headed 
Wolfhart ;  "  we  have  sharp  keys  to  unlock  the  doors  with,  even  if  a 
thousand  such  as  these  Nibelungs  tried  to  keep  them  shut." 

"  Hush  !  hush  !  foolish  comrade,"  said  Dietrich  ;  "  there  was  but 
little  sense  in  that  speech  of  yours." 

King  Gunther  then  commanded  his  people  to  open  the  door, 
and  much  to  the  wrath  of  the  Burgundians,  Dietrich  passed 
through  their  ranks  with  Chriemhild  leaning  on  one  arm  and  King 
Etzel  on  the  other,  and  followed  by  his  six  hundred  warriors. 
After  them  came  Riidiger  with  four  hundred  men.  Giselher  said 
to  the  Margrave : 

"  Greet  your  daughter  from  me,  and  say  to  her  that  I  shall 
think  of  her  even  in  death." 

Many  of  the  Huns  tried  to  escape  with  King  Etzel,  but  Volker 
cut  them  down  as  they  strove  to  pass  the  door. 

No  sooner  were  Dietrich  and  Riidiger  safely  gone  than  the  hor- 
rible carnage  recommenced.  The  Burgundian  swords  had  no  rest, 
until  all  the  Huns  were  lying  dead  or  dying  on  the  floor.  After 
that  the  Nibelungs  rested  awhile  from  their  labours,  but  Hagen 


THE  BURGUNDIANS   VISIT  HUNLAND.  289 

speedily  called  them  to  be  up  and  doing,  and  fling  the  corpses  out, 
lest  they  should  be  in  the  way  in  any  renewed  attack.  He  was  at 
once  obeyed.  The  dead  and  wounded  Huns  were  one  and  all 
flung  into  the  court  below. 

.Volkerand   Hagen  now  guarded  the  entrance,  lest  the  enemy 
should  unexpectedly  break  in. 

;  While  Etzel  wrung  his  hands,  and  moaned  over  the  slaughter 
of  so  many  good  men  and  true,  Chriemhild  offered  a  shield  full  of 
gold  and  jewels  to  whoever  slew  her  deadly  foe,  Hagen  of  Tronje. 
Of  all  who  heard  her,  one  alone  came  forward  and  said  that  he 
would  try  and  do  her  will.  And  he  was  Count  Iring  of  Daneland, 
Haward's  man. 

He  went  forward  boldly  and  performed  prodigies  of  valour,  but 
at  length  was  beaten  back,  and  fell  dead  under  Chriemhild's 
window. 

Haward  and  Irnfried  of  Duringen  (Thuringia)  determined  to 
avenge  bold  Iring,  so  they  called  out  their  men  and  went  to  the 
attack.  The  fight  began  at  the  door,  where  Irnfried  fell  under  the 
minstrel's  sword,  and  immediately  afterwards  Haward  was  slain 
by  the  hero  of  Tronje.  But  still  the  men  of  Daneland  and 
Duringen  fought  on  unheeding,  and  Hagen  exclaimed, — 

"  Give  place.  Let  them  go  through  the  door,  out  of  which  they 
shall  never  come  back  alive.  Volker  shall  play  them  a  slumber- 
song  to  which  our  swords  can  beat  the  accompaniment." 

So  the  Nibelungs  opened  their  ranks,  and  the  men  of  Dane- 
land  and  Duringen  entered  the  blood-stained  hall.  Once  more  the 
battle  began.  Many  a  brave  Burgundian  fell  to  rise  no  more  ;  but 
not  one  of  their  enemies  escaped  alive. 

The  Parley  and  the  Fire. 

Silence  fell  on  the  palace.  The  Nibelung  warriors  laid  down 
their  shields  and  heavy  armour,  that  they  might  the  better  rest 

T 


290  THE  NIB E LUNGS*   WOE. 

from  their  labours,  while  Hagen  and  Volker  kept  watch  by  the 
door.  During  this  time  of  quiet,  the  Burgundians  tried  to  make 
peace.  They  reminded  King  Etzel  that  they  had  come  to  his 
land  at  his  own  invitation,  and  relying  on  his  good  faith,  only  to 
meet  with  treachery  from  him  and  his.  But  Etzel  demanded  that 
the  Burgundians  should  acknowledge  him  their  feudal  superior. 
Then  Giselher  turned  to  his  sister  and  asked  what  harm  he  had 
ever  done  her  that  she  should  behave  in  such  a  way.  And  even 
the  women,  who  were  weeping  for  their  husbands  and  sons,  bore 
him  witness  that  all  his  life  had  been  spent  in  doing  good  to 
others.  Chriemhild  was  touched  by  his  appeal,  and  told  him  that 
he,  Gunther,  and  Gemot  should  go  free  with  all  their  warriors  and 
men-at-arms  if  only  they  would  give  up  the  murderer  Hagen,  that 
she  might  punish  him  as  he  deserved.  But  with  one  voice  the 
Nibelungs  refused  terms  which  were  dishonourable  in  their  eyes. 

Enraged  at  the  boldness  of  her  foes,  the  queen  called  upon  the 
Huns  to  make  one  more  assault,  and  drive  them  out  of  the  house. 
Again  the  bitter  strife  began.  Chriemhild  knew  no  more  compas- 
sion. She  commanded  her  servants  to  set  fire  to  the  upper  part 
of  the  house,  which  was  built  of  wood,  and  soon  the  flames  were 
seen  spreading  over  the  whole  roof,  which  at  length  fell  with  a 
crash.  A  wild  wail  of  human  creatures  in  their  last  agony  accom- 
panied the  fall.  After  that  the  queen  retired  to  her  own  apart- 
ments, and  standing  at  the  window  overlooking  the  house  where 
her  brothers  and  their  friends  must  have  been  burnt,  thought  sadly 
and  half  remorsefully  over  the  past.  Only  half  remorsefully,  for 
she  felt  her  heart  as  full  of  hatred  to  Hagen  as  '\t  ever  had  heen. 

Meanwhile  the  Nibelungs  had  not  perished  in  the  flames,  as 
Chriemhild  fondly  imagined.  The  great  vaulted  hall  in  which 
they  had  entrenched  themselves  was  too  strongly  built  to  have 
sufl"ered  much  from  the  fire  in  the  wooden  upper  storey ;  though 
the  Burgundians  were  for  a  long  time  as  if  shut  up  in  an  oven,  the 


THE  BURGUNDIANS    ViSIT  HUNLAND.  291 

heat  was  so  terrific  ;  they  yet  escaped  with  their  lives  ;  and  Hagen 
made  them  slake  their  intolerable  thirst  by  drinking  the  blood  of 
their  fallen  enemies. 

When  the  Huns  at  length  came  to.  look  for  their  charred 
bodies,  they  were  not  a  little  surprised  to  find  themselves  con- 
fronted by  six  hundred  brave  and  utterly  undaunted  warriors. 

Slaughter  Again. — The  Lord  of  Bechelaren. 

The  queen  heard  with  astonishment  that  the  Nibelungs  were 
still  alive  and  armed  for  a  new  fight.  While  she  pondered 
what  it  were  best  to  do,  one  of  the  Hunnish  notables  told  her 
that  she  should  apply  for  help,  either  to  the  Margrave  of 
Bechelaren,  who  had  received  so  many  benefits  from  the  king, 
or  to  Dietrich  of  Bern,  who  had  enjoyed  Etzel's  hospitality  so 
long  as  a  fugitive.  Chriemhild  thought  the  advice  good,  and 
at  once  sent  off  a  message  to  Rudiger. 

The  noble  Margrave  immediately  obeyed  the  queen's  summons. 
Etzel  explained  to  him  the  true  position  of  affairs,  and  remind- 
ing him  of  all  the  honours  that  had  been  heaped  upon  him, 
told  him  the  time  was  come  to  prove  his  gratitude.  He  must 
punish  the  Nibelungs  for  the  great  scath  they  had  wrought 
to  the  royal  house  and  to  the  land  of  the  Huns. 

"  My  liege,"  said  the  good  old  hero  sadly,  "  all  that  you  have 
said  is  true,  and  I  am  ready  to  do  you  any  service,  however 
dangerous,  but  do  not  ask  that  I  should  break  the  faith  I  swore 
to  them  when  they  stayed  with  me  at  Bechelaren,  before  I  led 
them  to  Etzelburg  at  your  command.  They  trusted  me  utterly, 
and  young  Giselher  chose  my  daughter  to  be  his  wife,  and  to 
share  the  Burgundian  throne.  Methinks  it  were  an  ill  deed 
to  raise  my  hand  against  them  that  trusted  me." 

When  the  king  reminded  him  of  his  oath  of  allegiance,  he 
continued,-- 


29a  THE  NIB E LUNGS'   WOE. 

"  Take  back  my  castles  and  towns,  the  wealth  that  you  have 
given  me,  and  the  possessions  I  have  won  for  myself.  I  will 
go  penniless  into  the  wide  world  with  my  wife  and  child,  and 
what  is  my  best  wealth,  Honour  and  Truth." 

"  Nay,  noble  Margrave,  but  you  cannot  do  so,"  replied  the 
queen,  "if  you  fail  in  obedience.  Think  of  the  time  when  you 
came  to  Burgundy  to  woo  me  for  Etzel.  I  feared  to  go  alone 
amongst  the  barbarous  Huns,  where  I  had  not  a  friend  or  helper, 
and  you  swore  to  me  with  a  solemn  oath  that  you  would  help 
me  against  every  adversary,  except  your  liege  lord.  Your 
sworn  faith  to  me  is  older  than  that  which  you  promised  to 
the  Nibelungs.  If  you  break  your  oath  to  me,  you  are  dis- 
honoured." 

Rudiger  stood  in  silent  thought  before  the  queen.  At  length 
he  said, — 

"Take  my  head.  I  shall  not  even  tremble  when  the  exe- 
cutioner's sword  touches  me.  But  do  not  force  me  to  do  what 
my  conscience  disallows." 

The  conversation  lasted  a  good  while  longer.  At  length 
Rudiger  with  a  heavy  heart  consented  to  obey  the  king  and 
queen. 

The  Nibelungs  stood  by  the  window  looking  out  for  help. 
On  seeing  the  noble  Margrave  approach  with  his  men,  Giselher 
exclaimed  joyfully  that  all  was  not  lost,  that  they  should  see 
Bechelaren  and  the  Rhine  again.  When  Rudiger  came  close  to 
the  door  he  explained  his  errand.  Gunther  reminded  him  of 
the  friendship  they  had  sworn,  and  Rudiger  answered  sadly 
that  the  oath  he  had  sworn  to  Etzel's  wife  forced  him  now  to 
fight  her  battle.  And  so  they  took  fair  leave  of  each  other,  as 
noble  friends  forced  to  fight  against  their  will.  Once  more  the 
blood  of  the  Nibelungs  and  their  opponents  stained  the  great 
hall.     The  heat  of  battle  raged  anew  in  every  heart,  and  many 


I 


THE   BURGUNDIANS   VISIT  HUNLAND,  293 

men  were  slain.  Amongst  the  number  were  Riidiger  and  Gemot. 
At  length  the  men  of  Bechelaren  were  conquered,  and  slain 
to  the  very  last  man.  Two  hundred  Nibelungs  also  fell  before 
this  victory  was  gained. 

The  heroes  were  silent  in  the  wide  hall.  They  heard  the 
sound  of  voices  in  the  court  without.  The  queen's  voice  was 
raised  in  indignation,  as  she  accused  the  Margrave  Riidiger  of 
playing  the  false  traitor  and  making  peace  with  the  Nibelungs. 
Volker's  anger  was  roused  at  this  unjust  suspicion.  Leaning 
out  of  the  window,  he  told  her  not  to  vex  herself  on  that  score, 
nor  accuse  a  good  man  falsely,  for  the  hero  of  Bechelaren  had 
died  serving  her.  He  then  commanded  the  Margrave's  body 
to  be  shown  at  the  window,  so  that  the  king  and  queen  and 
all  the  Huns  should  see  it.  Etzel  uttered  a  loud  cry  of  horror, 
and  cursed  the  hand  that  had  done  the  deed.  He  called  for 
his  sword,  that  he  might  himself  lead  the  band  of  avengers, 
but  he  forebore  to  unsheath  it  when  he  saw  that  terrible  pair 
(Hagen  and  Volker)  still  guarding  the  threshold. 

Chriemhild  stood  looking  on  with  folded  arms.  She  was 
beautiful  as  ever,  but  it  was  now  the  beauty  of  a  fallen  angel. 
She  shed  a  few  tears  for  the  loss  of  her  old  friend  Riidiger. 
Perhaps  also  because  she  feared  that  he  was  her  last  ally. 
She  may  likewise  have  pondered  whether  by  any  means  she 
might  yet  attain  her  end.  But  be  that  as  it  may,  the  next 
events  were  unexpected  by  her  as  by  every  one  else. 

Dietrich  and  his  Amelungs. 

One  of  Dietrich's  men  heard  what  had  happened.  He 
hastened  to  his  master  and  told  him  the  strange  tale.  Dietrich 
refused  to  believe  it,  and  sent  Helfrich  to  the  palace  to  find 
out  the  truth.      On  hearing  the   news   of  Riidiger's   death  con- 


294  THE  NJBELUNGS'   WOE. 

firmed,  the  hero  of  Bern  sent  his  old  master  Hildebrand  to  ask 
the  Nibelungs  why  they  had  done  this  evil  deed. 

The  master  would  have  gone  unarmed  upon  this  errand,  but 
Wolihart  cried  out  upon  the  folly  of  appearing  as  a  lamb  in  the 
presence  of  wolves.  The  master  thought  the  advice  good,  and 
put  his  armour  on.  When  he  was  on  the  way,  he  saw  that  all 
Dietrich's  men  were  following  him  well-armed,  under  Wolfhart's 
guidance.  He  desired  his  quick-tempered  nephew  to  go  back, 
but  the  latter  refused  point-blank,  saying  that  he  could  not 
let  his  uncle  go  alone  ;  and  the  other  warriors,  one  and  all,  de- 
clined to  leave  him.  When  the  small  band  of  five  hundred  brave 
men  came  in  front  of  the  house  the  Nibelungs  were  defending, 
Master  Hildebrand  lowered  his  shield,  and  asked  if  it  were  true 
that  good  Margrave  Rudiger  was  dead.  Hagen  answered  that 
they  wished  it  were  untrue,  but  it  could  not  be  helped,  for  he 
had  been  slain  in  unavoidable  fight.  The  Amelungs  mourned 
aloud  for  their  friend.  Wolfhart  would  have  avenged  him  on  the 
spot,  but  the  master  held  him  back,  threatening  him  with 
Dietrich's  anger  if  he  thrust  himself  into  the  quarrel.  Then, 
turning  to  the  Nibelungs,  he  demanded  in  the  name  of  the  hero 
of  Bern  that  the  Margrave's  body  should  be  handed  over  to 
them,  that  they  might  give  him  honourable  burial.  King 
Gunther  replied  that  it  was  a  good  and  worthy  desire  on  their 
part,  and  one  that  ought  to  be  gratified.  Wolfhart  called  to  them 
to  make  haste  and  bring  out  the  body,  upon  which  Volker 
said  that  they  were  too  tired  to  do  more  work,  so  the  Amelungs 
might  come  in  and  fetch  it. 

One  word  led  to  another,  till  Wolthart  lost  his  temper  al- 
together, and  rushed  forward,  followed  by  the  Amelungs,  shout- 
ing as  with  one  voice  their  ancient  war-cry.  Master  Hilde- 
brand, drawn  on  in  the  general  rush,  was  found  in  a  foremost 
place  when  the  battle  began.     The  tired  Nibelungs,  and  the  brave 


THE  BURGUNDIANS   VISIT  HUNLAND.  295 

Amelungs — men  who  had  formerly  fought  side  by  side  in  the 
great  battle  of  Ravenna,  and  on  many  other  fields — were  now 
engaged  in  hand-to-hand  conflict  for  life  and  death.  Here  was 
strong  Sigestap,  duke  of  Bern,  there  brave  Helfrich,  there  the 
bold  heroes  Wolfwin,  Wolf  brand,  Helm  not,  Ritschart,  and  others, 
all  burning  to  avenge  the  death  of  RUdiger.  The  confusion  was 
so  great  that  often  those  who  wished  to  meet  could  not  find 
each  other.  Thus  Volker  and  Wolfhart  were  kept  apart ;  the 
minstrel  fell  upon  Sigestap,  who  had  slain  many  of  the  Bur- 
gundians,  and  gave  him  his  death-blow,  only  to  meet  Hildebrand 
a  little  later  and  himself  to  fall  under  his  hand.  Dankwart 
was  slain  by  Helfrich  ;  Wolfhart  did  many  a  deed  of  valour, 
until  Giselher  attacked  him.  After  a  tremendous  struggle,  the 
young  king  thrust  him  through  the  breast,  but  even  then, 
though  in  mortal  agony,  he  grasped  his  sword  in  both  hands, 
and  slew  his  adversary. 

Old  Hildebrand  saw  his  nephew  fall,  and  hastened  to  him.  He 
lifted  him  in  his  arms,  and  tried  to  bear  him  from  that  hall  of 
doom  ;  but  he  was  too  heavy.  The  wounded  hero  opened  his 
eyes  once  more,  and  said  in  a  faint  voice, — 

"  Uncle,  tell  our  friends  not  to  weep  for  me,  for  I  have  met  my 
death  at  the  hands  of  a  brave  king,  as  he  has  at  mine.  My 
wild  blood  has  grown  calm  and  still,  and  I  am  ready  to  sleep 
peacefully  like  a  tired  child." 

These  were  the  last  words  of  the  wildest,  hottest  warrior  in 
Dietrich's  train.  Like  Wolfhart,  all  the  other  comrades  of  the 
hero  of  Bern,  save  Hildebrand  alone,  lay  stretched  on  the  bloody 
floor ;  and  with  them  all  the  Burgundians,  except  Hagen  and 
King  Gunther. 

"  Come  now.  Master  Hildebrand,"  cried  a  rough  voice,  "  you 
owe  me  satisfaction  for  the  death  of  my  comrade  Volker." 

It    was    Hagen  that    spoke.       The    meafdtelsmer   defend    his 


296  THE  NIB E LUNGS'   WOE. 


bravely,  but  the  hero  of  Tronje  was  strong  and  determined,  and 
Balmung  was  sharp.  One  terrible  blow  cut  through  Hildebrand's 
coat  of  mail,  and  the  blood  flowed  freely  from  his  side. 

The  End  of  the  Nibelungs. 

When  the  old  man  felt  the  wound,  and  looked  in  the  grim, 
rugged  countenance  of  his  antagonist,  for  the  first  time  in  all  his 
long  life  fear  took  possession  of  him,  and  covering  his  back  with 
his  shield,  he  fled  like  a  coward. 

With  shattered  armour,  and  red  with  his  own  blood,  and  that 
of  others,  the  old  man  came  before  his  master.  Dietrich  asked 
whether  he  had  fought  with  the  Nibelungs,  and  why  he  was  so 
wet  with  blood.  Then  Hildebrand  told  how  the  Burgundians  had 
slain  the  good  Riidiger,  and  had  declined  to  give  up  his  body 
for  burial. 

The  hero  of  Bern  was  so  saddened  by  these  tidings,  that  he 
asked  no  further  questions  ;  he  begged  the  old  man  to  command 
his  comrades  to  arm  themselves  at  once. 

"  Whom  shall  I  command  }  "    asked  the  master. 

"  The  swordsmen  of  Bern  are  all  here.  You,  my  lord,  and  T, 
are  all  that  remain  of  them  ;  and  of  the  Nibelungs,  Hagen  and 
King  Gunther  are  the  only  ones  alive." 

At  first  Dietrich  did  not  understand,  and  when  he  did,  he 
mourned  aloud  for  his  friends  and  comrades, 

"How  could  my  brave  men  have  fallen  under  the  swords  of 
these  tired  warriors  .?  Who  will  now  help  me  to  regain  the  land 
of  the  Amelungs  ? " 

So  he  cried  in  his  sore  distress.  But  soon,  mastering-  his 
emotion,-  the  hero  prepared  to  avenge  his  fallen  friends,  and, 
accompanied  by  the  master,  went  full-armed  to  the  house  where 
Hagen  and  Gunther  awaited  their  fate  with  undaunted  courage. 

Hagen    and    Hildebrand    exchanged   so   many   scornful   words 


THE  BURGUNDIANS    VISIT  HUNLAND.  297 

when  they  met,  that  Dietrich  chid  them  for  a  couple  of  old 
women,  and  demanded  that  the  combat  should  at  once  begin. 
Hagen  sprang  forward  without  delay.  Balmung  was  as  sharp  as 
ever  it  had  been,  and  the  hero  of  Bern  had  much  trouble  to  defend 
himself;  but  the  hand  that  wielded  the  sword  was  weary,  and 
less  nimble  than  of  yore.  Dietrich,  seeing  this,  made  a  sudden 
spring  upon  Hagen,  threw  him  down,  and  bound  him  fast.  Then 
he  bore  his  prisoner  into  the  presence  of  Chriemhild,  and  re- 
commended him  to  her  mercy,  saying  that  he  was  the  boldest 
and  bravest  warrior  in  the  whole  world.  He  only  noticed  the 
thanks  and  praise  she  gave  him  for  his  doughty  deed,  and  did  not 
m-ark  the  gleam  in  her  eyes,  nor  rightly  interpret  the  flush  that 
rose  to  her  cheeks.  He  hastened  away  to  the  last  battle  with 
King  Gunther. 

Chriemhild  had  gained  her  end  :  that  end  to  which  she  had 
waded  through  rivers  of  noble  blood.  Hagen  read  his  fate  in 
•her  eyes  ;  but  he  never  flinched  :  he  would  not  give  her  that  dear 
satisfaction.  She  wondered  whether  she  could  make  him  confess 
where  he  had  hidden  the  Nibelung  treasure.  She  spoke  to  him 
kindly,  and  promised  to  let  him  go  safely  home,  if  he  would  only 
tell  her  the  hiding-place.  The  hero  seemed  touched  by  her 
gentleness,  and  said  that  he  would  willingly  tell  her,  but  that  he 
had  sworn  to  keep  the  secret  as  long  as  one  of  the  three  kings 
of  Burgundy  was  alive. 

She  promised  him  again  that  she  would  keep  her  word,  if  he 
did  her  will ;  and  then  had  him  taken  away  to  sure  watch  and 
ward. 

"  Lies,  lies,  all  lies,"  he  said  to  himself,  as  his  gaolers  led  him 
away. 

The  hero  of  Bern  soon  afterwards  appeared  with  King  Gunther 
as  a  prisoner ;  the  latter  was  at  once  taken  to  a  separate  dungeon 
Chriemhild  considered  what   was   now   to   be   done.      Siegfried's 


298  THE  NIBELUNGS'    WOE. 

murderers  were  now  in  her  hands,  both  the  man  who  had  done 
the  deed,  and  the  king  who  had  condoned  it. 

She  felt  a  few  qualms  of  conscience  when  she  thought  that 
Gunther  was,  after  all,  her  brother  ;  but  she  soon  stifled  them, 
and  calmly  pursued  the  path  she  had  marked  out  for  herself. 
King  Gunther's  head  was  cut  off  by  her  orders,  and  laid  at 
Hagen's  feet  to  convince  him  that  now  the  last  king  of  Burgundy 
was  dead. 

The  hero  thrust  away  the  head  contemptuously.  "  It  was  not 
thou,"  he  said,  "  to  whom  I  swore  allegiance,  and  whose  crown  I 
strove  to  keep  free  from  stain.  The  royal  house  of  Burgundy,  to 
which  I  belonged,  is  wasted,  and  its  glory  overthrown.  Of  what 
worth  to  me  is  the  span  of  life  that  remains } " 

That  night  Chriemhild  had  a  happy  dream.  She  thought  that 
Siegfried  stood  before  her  as  she  had  seen  him  first ;  that  he 
stretched  out  his  arms  to  her  in  love  and  gratitude,  and  then 
vanished  slowly  in  the  grey  dawn. 

Next  morning  Chriemhild  seated  herself  beside  King  Etzel  in 
all  her  robes  of  state.  The  hero  of  Tronje  was  brought  before 
her,  a  prisoner,  and  in  bonds.  She  questioned  him  again  as  to 
the  hiding-place  of  the  treasure.  Raising  his  head,  he  answered 
with  all  his  former  boldness  : 

"You  are  mistaken,  woman,  if  you  think  that  you  have  my 
mind  in  your  power,  that  you  have  tamed  me  entirely.  The 
kings  are  all  dead  now,  Gunther,  Gemot,  Giselher ;  now  none  but 
God  and  I  know  where  the  treasure  was  sunk  in  the  deep  waters 
of  the  Rhine,  and  from  me  you  shall  never  learn  where  you  may 
seek  with  any  hope  of  finding." 

Chriemhild  silently  came  down  from  the  throne,  and  picked  up 
the  good  sword  Balmung  that  lay  beside  Hagen's  armour. 

"  You  took  good  care  of  the  gold  you  stole  from  me,"  she  said, 
"but  another  thing  that  you  stole  I  have  in  my   hands  at  this 


THE  BURGUNDIANS    VISIT  HUNLAND. 


299 


moment.  My  noble  husband  Siegfried  wore  this  sword  when 
last  I  saw  him,  before  he  fell  under  your  murderous  hand.  I  will 
now  try  whether  it  be  strong  enough  to  avenge  its  master." 

She  had  drawn  the  sword  from  its  sheath,  and  now  swung 
it  with  both  hands,  and  with  such  force  that  the  head  was  cut 
from  the  body,  and  fell  at  the  feet  of  old  Hildebrand. 

A  cry  of  horror  echoed  through  the  hall,  then  all  was  still. 
Chriemhild  thrust  the  bloody  weapon  back  into  its  sheath,  and 
said, — 

"  This  blood  may  never  be  washed  from  the  blade.  Balmung 
must  be  taken  to  Worms  as  it  is,  and  laid  in  Siegfried's  grave. 
Perhaps  he  may  then  learn  that  his  wife  loved  him  faithfully, 
and  punished  his  murderer.  Two  things  alone  made  up  my 
life :  Love  and  Revenge.     My  work  is  done." 

"  Strange,"  said  Hildebrand,  staring  at  the  hero's  dissevered 
head,  "that  the  bravest  warrior  in  all  the  world  should  have 
been  slain  by  a  woman !  But  although  he  wronged  me  much 
of  late,  I  will  yet  avenge  him." 

So  saying,  the  old  master  drew  his  sword,  and  gave  the 
queen  her  death-blow.  Etzel  shrieked  out,  and  threw  himself 
on  his  knees  beside  his  wife.  She  was  deadly  pale,  and  had 
only  strength  to  gasp  rather  than  speak, — 

"  Let  none  touch  the  old  master  for  this,"  she  said,  and  they 
were  her  last  words. 


III.  THE  NIBELUNGS'  LAMENT. 


At  Etzelburg. 

GREAT  as  was  the  misfortune  that  had  come  upon  the 
people  and  the  royal  house,  the  burial  of  the  dead  had 
yet  to  be  seen  to  as  speedily  as  possible.  King  Etzel  was  too 
full  of  his  own  grief  to  attend  to  business  of  any  kind,  so 
Dietrich  and  Hildebrand  gave  all  necessary  orders,  and  them- 
selves  helped  in  the  sad  work. 

All  the  dead  were  buried  with  every  honour,  save  and  except 
the  hero  of  Tronje,  who  was  forgotten.  The  grave-mounds  were 
filled  and  closed,  before  the  old  master  remembered  the  brave 
warrior,  whose  headless  trunk  still  lay  in  the  audience-hall. 
Hildebrand  ordered  that  he  should  receive  instant  burial.  So  a 
separate  grave  was  prepared  for  him,  and  there  he  was  laid 
with  all  his  armour,  except  the  good  sword  Balmung,  which  was 
to  be  taken  to  Siegfried's  grave,  according  to  Chriemhild's  wish. 
Many  of  the  Huns  went  with  the  funeral  procession  ;  they  neither 
wept  nor  made  moan  for  the  dead  man  whose  strong  right 
hand  had  brought  so  much  evil  on  their  native  land.  Next 
spring  lovely  flowers  decked  the  other  grave-mounds,  while  on 
Hagen's  thistles  and  thorns  alone  were  to  be  seen,  in  the  midst 
of  which  a  venomous  adder  had  found  its  home.  All  who  had 
gone  near  enough  to  the  snake   to    examine  it  carefully,  main- 

300 


ETZEL   BESIDE   CHRIEMHILD  S    BIER. 


3ot 


THE  LAMENT.  303 


tained    that  it  had   only  one    eye  like  the  hero    of    Tronje,    and 
were  firmly  convinced  that  it  was  the  form  his  spirit  had  taken. 

At  Bechelaren. 

Dietrich  and  Hildebrand  sent  news  to  Bechelaren  and  to 
Worms  of  all  that  had  occurred.  They  chose  the  noble  minstrel 
Swemmeling  as  their  ambassador,  for  they  knew  that  he  was 
tender-hearted,  and  would  break  the  news  as  gently  as  pos- 
sible. 

The  Margravine  and  her  daughter  sat  by  an  open  window, 
watching  the  clouds  that  rose  in  the  east.  Godelinde  felt 
strangely  anxious,  a  presentiment  of  evil  overpowered  her,  and 
she  could  not  resist  telling  her  daughter. 

She  said  that  she  feared  evil  news  was  coming,  for  she  had 
dreamed  the  night  before  that  Queen  Helche  had  appeared  to 
her,  surrounded  by  the  Burgundians,  and  many  other  warriors 
in  full  armour.  "  The  queen,"  added  Godelinde,  "  said  that  she 
wished  all  these  heroes  to  go  with  her.  She  took  your  father 
and  Giselher  by  the  hand,  and  led  them  away,  the  others 
following.  I  wished  to  join  the  procession,  but  she  signed  to 
me  to  go  back.  Then  they  all  vanished  in  a  grey  mist,  out 
of  which  a  hill  seemed  to  rise  like " 

She  was  interrupted  by  sounds  of  arrival.  It  was  the  pro- 
cession of  mourners  who  had  come  under  Swemmeling's  guidance. 
The  Margravine  recognised  Rudiger's  horse  and  armour,  and 
the  meaning  of  her  dream  was  clear  to  her.  But  in  the  midst 
of  all  her  grief,  she  tried  to  keep  up,  that  she  might  comfort 
her  daughter,  who  sat  at  her  side,  pale  with  terror. 

The  minstrel  joined  the  ladies.  The  Margravine  rose  to  meet 
him,  and  said  it  was  needless  for  him  to  tell  his  tale,  for  she 
knew  what  had  happened.  A  few  moments  later,  they  were 
able  to  listen  to  what  Swemmeling  had  to  say ;  so  they  asked 


304  THE  NI BE  LUNGS'   WOE. 

him  how  the  noble  Rudiger  had  met  with  his  death.  He  took 
up  his  harp,  and  sang  a  song  of  the  heroes  who  had  kept 
their  faith,  and  had  conquered  in  the  battle  of  life.  He  told 
how  they  come  to  the  realms  of  Woden  and  of  Freya,  how  they 
float  over  earth  and  sea,  and  how  they  speak  to  their  friends 
in  the  breath  of  the  wind  and  in  the  rustling  of  the  leaves, 
and  thus  bring  them  comfort  in  their  sorrow. 

After  that  he  gave  them  all  the  details  of  what  had  occurred 
at  Etzelburg.  On  the  following  day  Swemmeling  had  to  continue 
his  journey.  A  few  weeks  after  his  departure,  the  Margravine 
died  of  grief,  and  Dietelinde  was  left  alone.  She  remained  aloAe 
for  a  long  time,  but  when  Dietrich  reconquered  the  land  of  the 
Amelungs,  he  took  the  orphan  from  Bechelaren,  and  brought 
her  to  his  wife,  the  noble  Herrat,  at  whose  court  she  won  the 
love  of  a  bold  warrior,  whom  she  afterwards  married. 

Swemmeling  made  his  way  to  Worms  as  rapidly  as  he  could. 

At  Worms. 

Meanwhile  things  were  going  on  very  quietly  at  Worms. 
Queen  Ute  would  sit  spinning  by  the  hour  together,  humming 
many  a  weird  ditty,  but  seldom  speaking.  Queen  Brunhild 
would  sit  by  her  side  embroidering  the  death  of  Baldur,  which 
she  copied  from  old  patterns.  Curiously  enough,  the  white  god 
was  not  like  the  pattern,  but  rather  resembled  Siegfried. 

"  Look,  mother  Ute,"  she  said.  "  Is  it  not  strange  that,  in 
spite  of  all  my  efforts,  the  picture  will  resemble  Siegfried,  as  he 
looked  that  day  when  he  rode  out  hunting  for  the  last  time. 
It  is  a  sad  story,  and  reminds  me  of  an  old  legend  that  I  used 
to  hear  in  my  childhood,  in  Isenland,  in  which  a  murder  was 
committed  for  the  sake  of  possessing  a  magic  sword.  It  seems 
to  me  that  when  Hagen  comes  back,  I  must  get  him  to  give 
me  Siegfried's   sword,   Balmung,   that   I    may   restore   it   to   the 


THE  LAMENT.  305 


dead  hero.  Otherwise  I  fear  that  Burgundy  will  suffer  as  Isen- 
land  suffered  through  the  theft  of  that  other  sword." 

"Neither  Hagen  nor  any  of  the  others  will  ever  return  to 
this  house,  on  which  the  sin  of  bloodshed  rests,  as  yet  unex- 
piated,"  said  mother  Ute  ;  and,  breaking  off,  she  began  to  hum 
one  of  her  strange,  weird  ditties,  which  was  so  gruesome  that 
none  could  listen  to  it  without  a  shiver.  About  this  time 
Swemmeling  arrived,  and  told  the  queens  of  the  journey  to  the 
land  of  the  Huns,  of  the  friendly  reception  the  Burgundians  had 
met  with  from  King  Etzel,  and  then  of  the  quarrel,  the  battle, 
and  its  fatal  results.  No  plaints,  no  weeping,  no  questions, 
interrupted  the  minstrel's  tale.  When  he  came  to  an  end,  the 
Lady  Ute  said : 

"  It  is  a  sad  tale,  very,  very  sad,  but  it  could  not  have  been 
otherwise,  for  much  heroic  blood  was  needed  to  wash  away  the 
curse  of  murder  from  this  house." 

Neither  did  Brunhild  weep.  She  made  all  necessary  arrange- 
ments for  the  comfort  of  her  guests.  She  asked  that  the  good 
sword  Balmung  should  be  given  to  her,  and,  looking  at  the  blood- 
stains on  the  shining  blade,  she  said  ; 

"  Grim  Hagen  stole  this  weapon  out  of  Siegfried's  grave.  I  will 
take  it  back  to  the  hero,  now  that  it  has  been  dipped  in  the  blood 
of  his  murderer,  that  he  may  rest  in  peace." 

She  went  to  the  grave-  mound  with  the  sword,  and  did  not  re- 
turn that  day,  nor  during  the  night.  When  they  sought  her,  they 
found  her  lying  dead  beside  Siegfried's  coffin,  on  which  she  had 
laid  Balmung. 

The  Lady  Ute  went  on  spinning  for  many  a  day,  and  as  she 
span,  she  hummed  a  song  of  the  snake-queen  who  murdered  her 
own  brood. 

The  Burgundian  nobles,  and  all  the  people,  mourned  for  their 
royal  house  and  the  fallen  heroes.     But  when  feuds  arose  in  the 

U 


3o6 


THE  NI BE  LUNGS'   WOE. 


kingdom,  they  united,  and  raised  the  young  son  of  Gunther  and 
Brunhild  to  the  throne,  appointing  brave  men  to  act  as  guardians 
for  the  king  so  long  as  he  remained  a  child. 


m  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

I. 

HAGEN. 

EA LOU  SLY  strove  the  knights 
MXt^!\(,  \\  in  tilt  and  tournament  to  up- 
hold their  country's  honour  before  Sigeband  their  king,  when 
he  held  the  Midsummer  feast  at  his  high  castle  of  Balian  in 
Ireland.     Sweetly  the  minstrels  sang  the  praise  of  warlike  deeds; 


3o8  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

and  eagerly  did  boys  of  noble  birth  contend  in  games  of  hurling 
the  spear  and  shooting  with  the  bow.  But  evermore  did  little 
Hagen,  the  king's  son,  bear  him  best  in  the  gentle  strife  ;  and 
the  heart  of  his  mother,  the  Lady  Ute,  was  pleased. 

One  day  the  boys  were  amusing  themselves  by  throwing  their 
spears  at  a  target.  Having  thrown  them  all,  they  ran  forward  to 
get  their  weapons  again,  the  prince  among  the  rest.  As  he  could 
run  faster  than  his  companions,  he  reached  the  target  first,  and 
was  busy  pulling  out  his  spear,  when  an  old  man  called  to  the 
children  to  run  back  and  hide  themselves,  for  danger  was 
approaching.     He  pointed  up  at  the  sky,  crying,  "  A  griffin ! " 

The  Lady  Ute  looked,  and  saw  a  dark  spot  in  the  sky.  It 
seemed  too  small  to  be  dangerous.  But  it  approached  with  the 
swiftness  of  an  arrow,  and  the  nearer  it  came  the  bigger  it  grew. 
All  could  now  hear  the  noise  made  by  its  wings,  and  the  sound 
resembled  the  rushing  of  the  storm.  The  other  boys  fled  in  terror, 
but  Hagen  stood  his  ground  boldly,  and  flung  his  spear  with  all 
his  childish  strength  at  the  great  bird.  The  weapon  grazed  its 
feathers  harmlessly,  and,  at  the  same  moment,  it  swooped  down 
upon  the  child  and  bore  him  off  in  its  talons. 

So  the  feasting  and  mirth  that  had  reigned  at  Castle  Balian 
were  turned  into  mourning,  for  the  heir  to  the  kingdom  was 
gone.  There  was  no  hope  of  rescue ;  for  though  many  a  hero 
would  willingly  have  fought  with  the  griffin,  its  flight  was  so 
swift  that  no  one  could  see  where  it  was  gone.  Years  passed 
on,  and  the  king  and  queen  had  no  news  of  their  boy. 

The  griffin  carried  Hagen  over  land  and  sea  to  its  nest,  which 
it  had  built  on  a  rock  rising  out  of  the  water.  It  gave  the  boy 
to  its  young  ones  to  eat,  and  then  flew  away  in  search  of  new 
booty.  The  little  griffins  fell  upon  the  child,  and  prepared  to 
devour  him,  but  he  made  ready  for  his  defence,  thrust  back  their 
"bills  with  all  his   strength,  and  caught  the  birds  by  the  throat 


HAG  EN. 


309 


striving  to  throttle  them.  At  length  one  of  the  griffins,  which 
was  old  enough  to  fly,  caught  him  up,  and  carried  him  to  the 
branch  of  a  tree,  that  it  might  enjoy  the  sweet  morsel  alone. 
The  bough  was  too  weak  to  bear  their  united  weight  ;  it  bent, 
broke,  and  the  monster  fell  with  the  boy  into  a  thicket  of  thorns 
beneath.  The  griffin  fluttered  away,  and  Hagen  crept  deeper 
into  the  thicket,  unheeding  the  thorns.  At  length  he  reached  a 
dark  cave,  where  he  sank  down  utterly  exhausted  When  he 
came  to  his  senses,  he  saw  a  little  girl  of  about  his  own  age 
standing  a  little  way  off  and  looking  at  him  in  astonishment. 
He  raised  himself  on  his  elbow  to  see  her  better,  upon  which 
she  fled  to  a  greater  distance,  and  no  wonder,  his  appearance 
was  so  frightful.  He  was  dirty,  wounded,  and  bleeding,  and 
his  clothes  hung  about  him  in  rags.  He  limped  and  crept  as 
well  as  he  could  after  the  girl,  and  found  that  she  had  taken 
refuge  in  a  large  cave  with  two  companions.  They  all  shrieked 
when  they  saw  him,  for  they  thought  he  was  either  a  wicked 
dwarf  or  a  merman,  who  had  followed  them  to  devour  them ; 
but  when  he  told  them  that  he  was  a  prince  who  had  been 
carried  off  by  the  griffin,  and  had  only  escaped  from  the  mon- 
ster as  by  a  miracle,  they  were  comforted,  and  shared  their 
scanty  fare  with  him. 

After  that  they  told  him  their  story,  which  was  much  the 
same  as  his  own.  He  found  that  the  girl  he  had  first  seen  was 
called  Hilde,  and  that  she  was  an  Indian  princess ;  the  second 
was  Hildburg  of  Portugal ;  and  the  third  came  from  Isenland. 
The  maidens  nursed  their  young  companion  with  such  care  that 
his  wounds  were  soon  healed.  When  he  was  well  again,  he 
went  out  to  provide  the  needful  food,  and  ventured  deeper  into 
the  land  than  the  maidens  had  ever  done.  He  made  himself  a 
bow  and  arrows,  the  latter  of  which  he  tipped  with  fish-bone^ 
and  brought  home  small  game   of  all    kinds.     As   the   children 


3IO  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

had  no  fire,  they  were  obligee^  to  eat  their  food  raw,  but  they 
became  all  the  stronger  and  hardier  for  that,  and  when  Hagen 
was  twelve  years  old  he  was  almost  a  man  in  size. 

Meanwhile  the  young  griffins  were  grown  up,  and  were  able 
to  go  out  in  search  of  food  for  themselves,  so  that  the  boy  could 
no  longer  wander  about  as  freely  and  fearlessly  as  before.  Never- 
theless, one  evening  he  ventured  down  to  the  shore,  and  crept 
under  an  overhanging  rock  which  hid  him  from  view.  He  looked 
out  at  the  foaming  waves  and  the  wild  sea,  which  now  looked 
dark  as  night,  and  again  was  lighted  up  by  the  vivid  flashes  of 
lightning  that  burst  from  the  storm-clouds.  He  listened  fearlessly 
to  the  loud  peals  of  thunder,  the  howling  of  the  wind,  and  the 
sound  of  the  frantic  waves  dashing  against  the  rocks.  But  sud- 
denly he  caught  sight  of  a  boat,  struggling  in  unequal  conflict 
with  the  elements,  and  his  heart  was  filled  with  hope  and  fear  ; 
of  hope,  because  thoughts  of  home  and  his  parents  were  awakened 
in  his  breast ;  of  fear,  because  the  boat  seemed  too  weak  to  live 
on  such  a  sea.  Then  he  saw  it  drive  upon  a  point  of  rock.  There 
was  one  shriek  of  agony,  and  ship  and  crew  were  swallowed  in 
the  waves.  The  storm  raged  on,  until  morning  came,  and  seemed 
with  its  soft  light  to  calm  the  fury  of  the  winds.  On  the  strand 
were  scattered  pieces  of  the  wreck,  and  the  corpses  of  the  luckless 
manners.  Hagen  was  going  to  sally  out  in  hopes  of  picking  up 
something  useful,  when  he  was  stopped  by  hearing  the  whirr  of 
griffins'  wings,  and  knew  that  the  great  birds  had  come  down 
to  the  shore,  having  scented  the  prey.  While  the  monsters  were 
busied  with  their  meal,  the  boy  crept  out  of  his  hiding-place  in 
search  of  something  to  eat.  But  he  only  found  drift-wood,  and  a 
drowned  man  in  full  armour,  with  sword  and  bow,  and  a  quiverful 
of  sharp-pointed  arrows.  He  could  have  shouted  aloud  for  joy, 
for  now  he  had  arms,  such  as  he  used  to  see  at  his  father's  court. 
Quickly  he  donned  the  coat  of  mail,  covered  his  head  with  the 


HA  GEN.  3i;i. 

helmet,  girded  the  sword  to  his  side,  picked  up  the  steel  bow  and 
the  arrows.  It  was  high  time,  for  at  this  moment  one  of  the 
griffins  swooped  down  upon  him.  He  drew  his  bow  with  all  his 
strength,  and  the  arrow  struck  his  enemy  in  the  breast,  bringing 
it  down  with  fluttering  wings.  It  fell  at  his  feet,  dead.  A  second 
monster  shared  its  fate,  and  now  the  three  other  birds  attacked 
him  all  at  once  ;  but  he  slew  them  all  with  his  sword.  He  took 
the  heads  of  the  dead  monsters  to  his  friends  in  the  cave,  who  had 
passed  a  wakeful  night  in  anxiety  for  him.  Great  was  their  joy 
when  they  found  that  the  griffins  were  dead.  They  accompanied 
their  hero  to  the  place  of  his  victory,  they  helped  him  to  throw 
the  great  birds  into  the  sea,  and  then,  true  to  pious  custom,  they 
assisted  him  to  heap  up  a  mound  over  the  dead  warrior  whose 
weapons  had  helped  Hagen  to  victory.  Vainly  did  they  seek 
for  provisions  among  the  wreckage  ;  but  they  found  a  well-pre- 
served box  with  flint  and  steel,  which  enabled  them  to  make  a 
fire.  So  they  were  now  able  to  enjoy  a  well-dressed  meal,  which 
after  their  former  privations  seemed  a  perfect  banquet. 

Hagen  went  out  hunting  much  more  frequently  than  before, 
and  slew  bears,  wolves,  panthers,  and  other  wild  beasts.  Once, 
however,  he  met  with  a  curious  creature.  It  was  covered  with 
shining  scales,  its  eyes  glowed  like  red-hot  coals,  and  horrible 
grinders  gleamed  in  its  blood-red  jaws. 

He  aimed  a  sharp  arrow  at  its  back  ;  but  the  point  glanced 
off  the  glittering  scales,  and  the  monster  turned  upon  the  lad.  A 
second  arrow  was  likewise  without  effect.  Hagen  now  drew  his 
sword  ;  but  all  his  efforts  were  useless,  and  he  only  escaped  the 
terrible  claws  by  his  marvellous  agility.  When  he  was  almost 
exhausted  by  the  long  struggle,  he  at  length  saw  his  opportunity, 
and  plunged  his  weapon  into  the  great  jaws.  Overcome  with 
fatigue,  he  seated  himself  on  the  still  heaving  body  of  the  creature, 
rie   longed  for  a  few  drops    of  water  to  quench    his  thirst,  and 


O 


312  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

as  none  was  near,  he  eagerly  drank  of  the  blood  that  streamed 
from  the  monster's  wounds.  Scarcely  had  he  done  this,  when 
his  weakness  vanished,  and  an  unaccustomed  sense  of  power  took 
possession  of  him.  He  sprang  to  his  feet,  longing  to  put  his  new 
strength  to  the  test.  He  would  not  have  hesitated  to  fight  all 
the  griffins  and  giants  in  the  world.  He  drew  his  sword,  and 
slew  a  bear  with  one  stroke.  In  like  manner  he  killed  two 
panthers,  and  a  rhinoceros.  He  was  covered  with  blood  from 
head  to  foot,  and  looked  so  ferocious  carrying  the  bear  on  his 
shoulders,  that  he  frightened  the  maidens  in  the  cave ;  but  he 
regained  his  accustomed  manner  when  he  had  seen  the  gentle 
Hilde. 

Many  years  came  and  went.  Hagen  and  his  three  friends 
had  enough  to  eat  and  drink,  and  were  clothed  in  the  skins  of 
wild  beasts.  Although  they  were  very  happy  together,  they 
longed  to  get  back  to  the  haunts  of  men,  and  often  cast  anxious 
looks  over  the  sea  in  hopes  of  seeing  some  ship  approach.  At 
length  one  morning,  when  the  three  maidens  were  standing  on 
the  shore,  a  white  sail  appeared  on  the  horizon,  and  came  gra- 
dually nearer  and  nearer.  They  lighted  a  fire,  and  called  Hagen, 
who  joined  them  fully  armed.  Their  signals  were  seen  from  the 
ship,  and  a  boat  was  sent  out,  which  soon  approached  the  shore. 
The  helmsman  uttered  a  cry  of  astonishment  when  he  saw  their 
strange  dress,  and  asked  if  they  were  human  beings  or  water- 
sprites. 

"  We  are  poor  unfortunate  people,"  said  Hagen  ;  "  take  us  with 
you,  for  God's  sake." 

So  the  sailors  took  them  to  the  ship,  and  they  were  soon  on 
board.  The  captain  looked  at  them  in  amazement,  and  Hagen, 
in  answer  to  his  questions,  told  their  whole  story.  When  he  spoke 
of  his  father  Sigeband,  the  powerful  king  of  Balian,  the  captain 
exclaimed : 


HAG  EN,  313 

"  What !  you  can  kill  griffins  like  flies !  Still  you  are  a  lucky 
catch  for  me,  for  I  am  that  Count  of  Garadie  to  whom  your  father 
has  done  so  much  injury.  You  shall  now  be  hostage  till  a 
proper  sum  of  money  is  paid  to  me.  Here,  men,  put  this  young 
fellow  in  chains,  and  steer  for  Garadin." 

Scarcely  had  the  Count  said  these  words  when  Hagen  fell  into 
a  Berseker  rage.  He  flung  the  sailors,  who  would  have  laid  hold 
of  him,  into  the  sea  :  then,  drawing  his  sword,  he  rushed  upon 
the  master  of  the  vessel,  when  a  soft  hand  was  laid  upon  his  arm. 
He  turned  round  furiously ;  but  at  the  sight  of  Hilde's  gentle, 
lovely  face,  his  terrible  anger  vanished.  Hilde  spoke  gentle  words 
of  conciliation,  and  Hagen  listened.  Then,  turning  to  the  Count, 
he  promised  to  make  all  matters  right  between  him  and  the  King, 
if  he  would  at  once  steer  for  Balian.  The  captain  agreed  to 
do  so,  and  steered  for  Ireland.  Favourable  winds  swelled  the 
sails,  and  ten  days  later  the  walls  and  towers  of  Balian  hove  in 
sight.  Naturally  his  parents  did  not  at  first  recognise  Hagen  ; 
but  great  was  their  rejoicing  when  they  found  who  he  was.  A 
firm  peace  was  concluded  with  the  Count  of  Garadie,  and  the 
three  maidens  were  received  with  all  honour  and  courtesy. 

Hagen  did  not  long  remain  quietly  at  home  in  his  father's  house. 
He  wished  to  see  something  of  the  world,  and  to  gain  both  name 
and  fame. 

Time  passed  on,  and  Hagen,  who  was  known  far  and  wide  for 
his  great  deeds,  was  appointed  to  rule  the  land  in  his  old  father's 
place.  When  urged  by  his  mother  to  choose  a  wife,  now  that  he 
had  settled  down  after  his  wanderings,  he  wooed  fair  Hilde,  the 
sweet  companion  of  his  childhood,  and  soon  afterwards  married 
her. 

Queen  Ute  lived  to  hold  a  grandchild  in  her  arms,  who  was 
called  Hilde  after  her  mother ;  but  soon  after  that  she  nnd  Sige- 
band  died,  leaving  their  son  to  rule  alone 


314 


THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 


The  Princess  Hilde  grew  up  beautiful,  and  many  wooers  came  to 
Balian  to  ask  for  her  hand  in  marriage.  But  Hagen  would  receive 
no  man  as  a  son-in-law  without  first  fighting  with  him,  declaring 
that  he  would  never  give  his  daughter  to  one  that  was  not  stronger 
than  himself.  Whoever  ventured  to  try  conclusions  with  him 
had  the  worst  of  it.  Wild  Hagen,  the  terror  of  kings,  became 
also  the  terror  of  wooers,  and  before  long,  he  really  had  his  house 
to  himself. 


II.     HETTEL  THE  HEGELING  AND  HIS  HEROES. 


"V  T  OW  about  this  time  King  Hettel  the  Hegeling  lived  at  Castle 
•*-  ^  Matelane  in  Denmark.  He  was  a  bold  warrior,  and  Nord- 
land,  Friesland,  and  Dietmarsch  owed  him  allegiance.  Many 
princely  heroes  were  about  his  throne.  Chief  among  them  was 
his  kinsman,  old  Wate,  who  bore  rule  in  Sturmland,  and  was 
famous  for  his  doughty  deeds  of  war.  Not  less  celebrated  were 
tiie  minstrels  Horand  and  Frute,  both  powerful  lords  in  Denmark. 
Then  came  Irold  the  Swift  from  Friesland,  and  Morung  of  Nifland  ; 
bold  warriors  both,  and  ever  ready  to  help  their  liege  lord. 

One  evening,  at  the  feast,  Morung  of  Nifland  advised  King 
Hettel  to  seek  a  wife,  and  said  that  Hilde,  the  Irish  princess, 
was  the  best  maid  for  him  to  woo,  for  she  was  famous  in  all  lands 
for  her  beauty  and  virtue.  And  Horand  answered,  that  the  lady 
was  justly  praised  ;  but  that  wild  Hagen,  her  father,  would  permit 
no  man  to  woo  her,  and  that  many  a  noble  warrior  had  met  his 
death  in  fighting  with  him  for  her  hand. 

The  king  was  much  taken  with  what  he  heard  of  fair  Hilde, 
and  greatly  desired  to  raise  her  to  the  Hegeling  throne.  He 
asked  who  would  undertake  the  wooing  for  him.  The  courtiers 
advised  him  to  make  old  Wate  his  ambassador,  and  although  the 
lord  of  Sturmland  had  no  desire  to  go  on  any  such  errand,  yet 
/le  promised  to  set  out,  and  said  that  if  Horand  and  Frute  would 

3'S 


3i6  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

accompany  him  he  had  no  doubt  the  wooing  would  be  suc- 
cessful. 

The  three  warriors,  Joined  by  Irold  of  Nordland,  prepared  to  set 
out  on  their  journey.  They  took  a  small  fleet  of  ships  laden  with 
costly  wares,  and  a  thousand  armed  men,  and  started  on  their 
mission. 

After  a  long  voyage  they  reached  Balian,  where  wild  Hagen 
held  his  court. 

Their  arrival  was  greeted  with  the  utmost  amazement,  for  no 
one  in  Ireland  had  ever  seen  such  splendour  before.  The  masts 
of  the  Danish  ships  were  of  shining  cypress-wood,  the  sails  of 
purple  silk,  and  the  anchors  of  silver.  Sailors  in  rich  garments 
bore  foreign  wares  from  distant  lands  out  of  the  ships,  and 
spread  them  before  the  astonished  multitude.  The  captains 
offered  rich  articles  for  sale,  explaining  that  they  were  merchants, 
and  had  come  to  Balian  on  a  trading  expedition. 

When  King  Hagen  heard  what  was  going  on  at  the  wharf,  he 
and  Queen  Hilde  went  down  to  the  ships  to  see  what  was  to  be 
seen.  Then  Frute  at  once  came  forward,  and,  drawing  him  aside, 
explained  that  they  were  not  really  merchants,  but  fugitives,  who 
desired  to  be  protected  from  their  king,  Hettel  the  Hegeling. 

Hagen  laughed  when  he  heard  this,  for  he  had  long  wished 
to  try  his  strength  in  single  combat  with  the  Danish  king.  So 
he  told  the  warriors  to  be  of  good  courage,  and  to  come  up  to 
the  palace  with  him.  The  strangers  accepted  the  Invitation. 
They  gave  the  king  and  queen  rich  presents  of  garments  and 
precious  stones.  Indeed,  their  riches  seemed  so  inexhaustible, 
that  Hagen  would  willingly  have  kept  them  in  the  country,  and 
given  them  houses  and  lands.  But  they  pleaded  that  they  had 
left  their  wives  and  children  In  Hegelingland,  where  they  hoped 
one  day  to  return. 

They  all  met  in  the  banquetlng-hall,  and  the   strangers  were 


HETTEL   OF  HEGELING  AND  HIS  HEROES.  317 

presented  to  the  princess.  Wate  alone  spoke  little,  and  often 
looked  out  towards  the  sea. 

"  Go,  Hilde,"  whispered  the  queen,  "  and  greet  the  foreign  lord 
with  a  kiss." 

The  girl  started  with  fear,  for  the  hero  of  Sturmland  was  a 
full  head  taller  than  any  of  his  comrades,  and  was  a  stern-featured 
man,  with  a  large  hooked  nose,  bald  head,  and  long  grey  beard. 

"What  are  you  looking  at,  Lord  Wate.-""  said  the  queen.  "Do 
you  see  fairer  women  on  the  shore  than  here  in  the  hall  ?" 

"  I  am  looking  at  my  ship,"  answered  the  hero,  "  for  a  storm 
is  coming  on." 

Then  the  princess  smiled  and  said : 

"  Are  you  not  happy  with  us,  noble  warrior  ?  or  do  you  always 
wish  to  be  out  among  storms  and  fighting } " 

"  Lady,"  said  Wate,  "  I  never  learned  to  talk  sweet  talk  with 
women,  or  to  dance  with  girls.  I  only  care  for  the  dancing  of 
the  stormy  waves  and  for  the  din  of  battle,  when  the  Norns  sing 
of  conquest  or  a  glorious  death." 

This  was  the  speech  of  the  stern  old  man.  But  the  other 
warriors  talked  of  the  lovely  land  of  the  Hegelings,  of  its 
castles  and  granges,  and  of  the  minstrels  and  knights  who 
served  their  ladies  in  all  honour  and  modesty.  After  this  they 
took  leave  of  their  hosts  and  retired.  The  next  day  passed,  as 
was  usual  on  such  occasions,  in  jousting,  feasting,  and  minstrelsy. 

Horand  used  to  sing,  early  in  the  morning  and  in  the  late 
evening,  before  the  queen  and  her  daughter,  who  were  both  de- 
lighted with  his  voice  and  his  songs.  Once,  when  he  was  alone 
with  the  princess,  he  sang  about  a  great  king  who  fell  sick  with 
love  for  a  beautiful  maiden  named  Hilde.  The  princess  felt 
that  there  was  something  hidden  behind  the  song.  So  she 
asked  at  length  who  the  king  was  that  cared  for  her.  Upon 
which  the  minstrel  showed  her  a  portrait  of   King  Hettel,   and 


3i8  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

told  her  of  her  father's  stern  cruelty  to  all  noble  warriors  who 
came  to  Balian  to  woo  the  princess.  He  told  her  also  on  what 
secret  mission  he  and  his  friends  had  come,  and  entreated  her 
to  come  with  them  to  Hegelingland,  where  the  king  was  waiting 
eagerly  for  her  arrival.  Once  there,  he  continued,  he  would  sing 
to  her  every  day,  and  so  would  King  Hettel,  who  knew  far  more 
beautiful  songs  than  he. 

Hilde  promised  that  she  would  ask  her  father's  permission  to 
go  down  to  the  ships  and  look  at  the  strangely  beautiful  stuffs 
and  jewels  on  board. 

What  she  promised  she  did. 

One  day  the  men  of  Hegeling  came  before  King  Hagen,  and 
said  that  they  had  good  news  from  their  home.  Their  king 
had  found  that  they  had  been  falsely  accused,  and  had  therefore 
restored  them  to  his  favour.  They  wished  now  to  take  leave  of 
Hagen,  and  return  to  their  own  land.  The  king  was  displeased 
to  think  of  losing  his  guests,  and  yet  they  should  not  go  without 
rich  gifts, 

"  Sire,"  said  Frute  the  Wise,  "  we  are  so  rich  that  we  cannot 
well  accept  either  silver  or  gold  ;  but  if  you  would  show  us  a 
kindness,  come  on  board  our  galleys  with  the  queen  and  her 
ladies,  and  look  at  our  treasures."  \ 

Wild  Hagen  shook  his  head,  but  his  daughter  and  the  queen 
wished  so  much  to  go  that  he  at  length  gave  way. 

At  the  appointed  hour,  when  the  sails  were  spread  and  the 
ships  were  ready  for  departure,  the  king,  queen,  princess,  and 
their  ladies  appeared  upon  the  strand.  Boats  were  ready  to 
take  them  to  the  ships.  Fair  Hilde  and  her  maid  sprang 
quickly  into  a  boat  steered  by  Horand.  But  when  Hagen  and 
his  armed  followers  were  about  to  get  into  another  boat,  Wate, 
Frute,  and  Irold  thrust  them  back  and  pushed  off  from  land. 
The  wild  chieftain  immediately  caught  up  his  spear,  and  rushed 


BETTEL   OF  HEGELING  AND  HIS  HEROES.  319 


into  the  sea  till  the  waves  dashed  over  his  head.  Spears  were 
hurled  on  either  side,  but  Horand  brought  the  princess  safely 
to  the  ship,  Hagen  ran  along  the  shore  and  called  despairingly 
for  ships  and  men  to  pursue  the  traitors ;  but  the  Irish  boats 
were  not  ready  for  sea,  and  even  at  that  moment  the  sails  of  the 
Hegelings  were  disappearing  in  the  distance. 

The  voyage  lasted  many  days  and  many  nights.  Fair  Hilde 
wept  much  for  her  father  and  mother,  but  Horand  sang  to  her, 
now  of  great  deeds,  and  now  of  love,  till  she  was  comforted.  At 
length  they  reached  the  coast,  where  King  Hettel  awaited  them. 
He  came  down  to  meet  them,  and  soon  gained  fair  Hilde's  heart. 
On  the  following  morning  they  prepared  to  go  to  Matelane.  But 
when  they  were  about  to  start,  they  saw  white  clouds  appear  on 
the  western  horizon,  which,  as  they  came  nearer,  were  discovered 
to  be  ships  forming  a  great  fleet,  and  from  the  topmast  of  each 
ship  floated  the  banner  of  the  cross.  The  Hegelings  took  it  to 
be  a  fleet  of  crusaders  going  out  against  the  unbelieving  Wilkin- 
men  or  Reussen ;  but  very  soon  a  flag  was  hoisted  bearing  the 
arms  of  Hagen,  a  tiger,  and  then  they  knew  that  the  enemy 
was  approaching. 

King  Hettel  and  old  Wate  drew  out  their  men  in  battle  array 
on  the  strand.  The  old  man  laughed  loud  for  joy  that  he  was 
really  to  have  a  passage  of  arms  with  the  warlike  Irish  king. 
The  other  princes  advanced  with  their  men  to  prevent  the 
enemy's  landing.  The  warriors  were  all  of  good  cheer ;  but 
fair  Hilde,  who  looked  down  from  the  battlements  of  the  castle 
on  the  turmoil  below,  wrung  her  hands  with  grief  that  she 
should  be  the  cause  of  bloodshed. 

The  galleys  cast  anchor,  and  boats  were  put  off  filled  with 
armed  men.  The  battle  began,  and  so  firm  was  the  resistance 
made  to  their  landing  that  the  boatmen  could  not  approach  the 
shore.     Then  wild  Hagen  flung  himself  into  the  water  and  fought 


320 


THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 


his  way  to  land,  followed  by  his  bravest  men.  His  blows  were 
so  terrible  that  he  carried  all  before  him,  and  even  Hettel  fell 
wounded  to  the  ground,  and  was  with  difficulty  borne  away 
from  the  field.  Old  Wate  now  came  forward,  and  he  and 
Hagen  had  a  hand-to-hand  encounter.  Each  fought  like  a  lion, 
and  neither  gave  way  in  the  least  before  the  other,  although  both 
were  severely  wounded. 

At  length  Kingv<Hettel,  his  head  bandaged,  and  looking  pale 
from  loss  of  blood,  forced  his  way  through  the  throng  of  com- 
batants with  Hilde  leaning  on  his  arm.  He  threw  his  arms 
round  Wate,  while  she  did  the  same  to  her  father,  and  entreated 
them  both  to  make  peace  for  her  sake. 

Wild  Hagen  was  touched  by  his  daughter's  words.  He  clasped 
her  in  his  arms,  and  then  held  out  his  hand,  first  to  Hettel,  and 
then  to  the  grim  old  hero  of  Sturmland. 

Now  that  the  battle  was  over,  Wate  went  about  binding  the 
wounds  of  all  whom  he  found,  whether  of  Irish  or  Hegeling  birth, 
with  some  healing  herb,  of  whose  virtues  he  was  well  aware.  In 
the  evening  there  was  a  great  feast,  and  next  morning  the 
warriors  all  went  to  Matelane,  where  the  marriage  was  to  take 
place.  A  ship  was  sent  to  bring  good  Queen  Hilde  to  her 
daughter's  wedding,  which  was  celebrated  in  the  cathedral,  with 
all  pomp  and  circumstance. 


-I^v^ 


III.     GUDRUN. 


TV^ING  Hettel  and  fair  Hilde  lived  happily  at  Matdane, 
'■-^  and  the  men  of  Hegehng,  Friesland,  and  Dietmarsch,  were 
faithful  subjects,  out  of  love  and  gratitude  for  the  justice  and 
protection  afforded  them  by  their  liege  lord.  Two  children  were 
born  to  the  royal  pair,  Ortwin  and  Gudrun  (pronounced  Goodroon), 
both  of  whom  were  strong  and  blooming  as  Nordland  roses.  As 
the  boy  grew  older,  he  was  given  into  the  charge  of  the  hero  of 
Sturmland,  that  he  might  learn  all  that  it  became  him  to  know 
from  the  greatest  warrior  in  the  land.  Gudrun  remained  at  home 
with  her  parents,  and  was  instructed  by  her  mother,  both  by 
precept  and  example,  in  all  woman's  work  and  knowledge.  So 
she  grew  up,  and  became  celebrated  in  every  land  for  her  beauty, 
her  gentleness,  and  her  wisdom. 

Many  noble  princes  came  to  woo  her  while  she  was  yet  very 
young.  Among  them  was  the  proud  Moorish  king,  Siegfried, 
gigantic  in  height,  and  brown  of  hue.  With  many  kings  for 
tributaries,  he  felt  himself  so  great,  that  he  feared  no  refusal. 
Queen  Hilde,  however,  thought  the  hero  too  arbitrary  in  his 
manners,  and  ignorant  of  the  proper  way  to  treat  women. 
Hettel  was  of  the  same  opinion  ;  so  he  told  the  wooer  that  the 
maiden  was  too  young  to  be  able  to  conduct  a  royal  household. 
The  Moorish  king  returned  to  his  distant  realm  in  great  anger 
and  disgust      But  before  leaving  Matelane,  he  had  bribed  some 

3"  X 


322  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 


faithless  men  with  gold  to  keep  him  informed  of  all  that  went 
on  in  the  land  of  the  Hegelings. 

Now,  at  this  time,  King  Ludwig  ruled  over  Normandy  and 
the  neighbouring  lands.  He  was  a  great  and  warlike  king. 
His  son,  Hartmut,  was  like  his  father  in  character,  and  helped 
him  in  his  wars.  When  the  latter  heard  of  Gudrun,  he  deter- 
mined to  woo  her  for  his  wife.  King  Ludwig  thought  it  a 
mistake,  because  the;  maiden's  grandfather,  Hagen,  had  once 
been  his  feudal  superior,  and  had  never  forgiven  him  for  having 
freed  Normandy  from  the  Irish  yoke ;  also  he  believed  that 
Queen  Hildc  had  inherited  her  father's  temper.  The  Lady 
Gerlind,  Ludwig's  queen,  was  of  a  different  opinion :  she  thought 
that  Hartmut  was  worthy  of  the  noblest  wife  in  Christendom, 
and  that,  if  they  only  set  about  the  matter  in  the  right  way, 
his  offer  would  be  accepted.  The  young  warrior  was  pleased 
with  his  mother's  counsel,  so  ambassadors  were  sent  to  the 
Hegeling  court,  bearing  rich  presents.  Queen  Hilde  accepted 
the  gifts  with  gracious  courtesy,  thanked  the  ambassadors  for 
bringing  them,  and  added  that  she  supposed  the  lord  of  Nor- 
mandy wished,  to  pay  off  an  old  debt  which  he  owed  her  father 
as  his  liege  lord.  The  warriors  were  kindly  treated,  although 
the  king  and  queen  heard  their  message  with  displeasure,  and 
said  that  the  husband  of  their  daughter  must  be  of  higher  birth 
than  the  lord  of  Normandy.  The  ambassadors,  seeing  that  no 
good  would  come  of  their  further  stay,  returned  to  Ludwig  with 
their  evil  tidings. 

The  Norman  king  was  not  much  surprised  at  the  result  of 
the  embassy ;  but  the  Lady  Gerlind,  whose  ancestors  had  been 
powerful  kings,  chafed  under  the  affront,  and  advised  her  son 
to  avenge  the  insult  with  his  sword.  But  the  young  prince  had 
thought  of  another  plan.  He  possessed  strongholds  and  granges 
in    Scotland.       So   he   determined    to    go    a-wooing    himself  in 


guurOiN  on  the  shore. 


3«3 


GUDRUN.  325 

Scottish  garb,  accompanied  by  a  large  train  of  attendants.  He 
was  a  hero,  learned  in  all  knightly  duties,  tall,  manly,  and 
strikingly  handsome.  He  was  accustomed  to  ladies'  smiles,  and 
to  meet  with  kindness  from  women  wherever  he  went ;  so  he 
never  for  a  moment  doubted  his  power  of  winning  the  love  of 
the  Princess  Gudrun.  The  ships  were  manned,  a  favourable 
wind  filled  the  sails,  but  soon  fell  again,  and  the  voyage  was 
a  very  slow  one. 

Meanwhile,  another  suitor  had  arrived  at  Matelane.  This  was 
bold  Herwig,  lord  of  Zealand.  He  was  a  brave  warrior,  cele- 
brated in  many  a  victory ;  a  faithful  friend  and  loyal  foe.  Fair 
curls  surrounded  his  face,  and  his  blue  eyes  shone  with  in- 
telligence. 

The  maiden  and  he  soon  learned  to  understand  each  other, 
and  before  a  word  of  love  was  spoken,  each  knew  the  other's 
feelings. 

When  Hartmut  arrived,  in  the  guise  of  a  Scottish  prince,  he 
soon  discovered  what  was  going  on. 

A  favourable  chance  led  Hartmut  to  the  garden  one  day,  and 
there  he  found  Gudrun  alone.  He  told  her  of  his  love,  and  at 
the  same  time  explained  who  he  was.  She  was  startled,  but 
soon  recovering  herself,  answered  that  she  cared  for  some  one 
else.  She  further  told  him  to  beware  how  he  betrayed  his 
identity,  for  her  father  and  mother  regarded  King  Ludwig  as 
a  vassal,  and  his  life  would  be  in  danger  if  they  knew  his  name 
and  quality.  The  word  vassal  brought  an  angry  flush  to  the 
young  hero's  cheek  ;  he  did  not,  however,  betray  his  feelings, 
but  took  leave  of  the  maid  in  seemly  fashion,  and,  after  saying 
farewell  to  the  king  and  queen,  set  sail  for  his  own  land. 

Herwig  lingered  on  at  the  palace  in  the  hope  that  he  might 
find  some  opportunity  of  seeing  and  speaking  to  the  princess 
alone.     But,  whether  by  accident,  or  because  the  queen  prevented 


326  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 


it,  he  never  found  his  opportunity.  So  he  went  boldly  to  the 
king,  and  made  a  formal  offer  for  Gudrun's  hand.  Hettel 
listened  to  him  calmly,  and  told  him  that  the  maiden  was  too 
young  to  marry.  This,  however,  was  merely  an  excuse,  for  he 
really  thought  the  king  of  Zealand  was  too  poor  a  match  for 
his  peerless  daughter. 

Her^vig  found  no  rest  at  home.  He  assembled  his  forces, 
and  prepared  to  invade  the  land  of  the  Hegelings.  His  army 
only  consisted  of  three  thousand  warriors,  but  they  were  one 
and  all  tried  men  of  valour,  on  whom  he  could  rely.  Hettel 
was  totally  unprepared  for  the  invasion.  His  heroes  were  at 
their  own  homes,  or  scattered  abroad ;  but  he  collected  what 
men  he  could,  and  went  out  against  the  foe.  Soon  the  clang 
of  arms  sounded  on  the  strand,  and  the  battle  began.  It  raged 
fiercely  for  a  long  time.  At  length  Queen  Hilde,  taking  Gudrun 
with  her,  and  followed  by  her  ladies,  descended  to  the  place 
of  combat,  and  spoke  so  wisely  that  she  soon  induced  the  men 
to  put  up  their  weapons,  and  make  peace.  Hettel  was  so  much 
pleased  with  the  boldness  and  valour  displayed  by  Herwig,  that 
he  consented  to  receive  him  as  his  son-in-law,  but  stipulated 
that  the  marriage  should  not  take  place  for  a  year. 

Herwig  spent  some  time  at  Matelane  in  company  with  certain 
other  warriors,  and  at  midsummer,  young  Ortwin  and  several 
of  his  friends  received  their  swords  at  the  hands  of  old  Wate 
of  Sturmland,  who  bade  them  act  in  all  things  so  as  to  be  soon 
worthy  of  the  honour  of  knighthood.  At  the  jousts  that  fol- 
lowed, the  young  men's  prowess  gladdened  their  teacher's  heart. 
But  the  rejoicings  came  to  a  sudden  end  through  the  arrival 
of  some  wounded  men  from  Zealand,  who  brought  news  that 
the  Moorish  king,  Siegfried,  had  fallen  upon  the  island,  and  was 
laying  the  country  waste. 

Hettel  determined  to  send  troops  to  help  Herwig  against  the 


GUDRUN.  327 

Moors ;  but  the  king  of  Zealand  would  not  wait  until  they 
could  be  summoned  ;  he  set  out  at  once,  saying  that  they  could 
follow,  and  he  would  meantime  go  and  show  his  people  that 
he  had  not  deserted  them. 

Herwig  landed  in  a  small  bay.  His  heart  was  wrung  when 
he  saw  the  devastation  caused  by  the  cruel  Moor,  and  knew 
that  he  was  not  strong  enough  to  offer  him  battle.  But  he 
was  not  idle  for  all  that.  He  and  his  three  thousand  followers 
separated  into  companies,  cut  off  isolated  bands  of  free- 
booters, and  harassed  the  enemy  as  much  as  they  could.  So 
matters  went  on  for  days  and  weeks.  At  length  the  Hegeling 
fleet  arrived  with  Hettel  and  his  heroes.  A  great  battle  was 
fought  by  sea  and  land,  but,  although  the  Moors  suffered  terrible 
loss,  both  in  men  and  ships,  it  was  by  no  means  a  decisive  battle. 
Siegfried  knew  that  he  had  now  no  hope  of  winning  the  victory 
in  open  war,  but  still  he  trusted  to  the  chapter  of  accidents  to 
get  him  out  of  his  difficulties.     And  he  did  not  hope  in  vain. 

Whilst  King  Hettel  and  his  heroes  were  fighting  in  Zealand, 
Hartmut,  with  a  large  Norman  army,  had  fallen  upon  the  land 
of  the  Hegelings.  Ludwig  had  accompanied  his  son.  Together 
they  had  stormed  the  palace  at  the  head  of  their  men,  had 
taken  it,  and  had  carried  away  the  Princess  Gudrian  and  her 
maidens ;  amongst  whom  was  Hildburg,  granddaughter  of  that 
Hildburg  whom  Hagen  found  on  the  griffin's  strand. 

The  first  messenger,  who  brought  the  news  of  the  Norman  inva- 
sion, was  soon  followed  by  a  second,  with  tidings  of  the  storming 
of  the  castle,  and  the  carrying  off  of  Gudrun,  The  first  thought 
in  every  mind  was  to  set  off  in  pursuit  of  the  robbers ;  King 
Hettel  sent  to  offer  terms  to  Siegfried,  telling  him  at  the  same  time 
of  what  had  chanced,  and  the  Moorish  king  immediately  offered 
to  help  to  rescue  the  princess ;  so  an  alliance  was  concluded 
between  Hettel,  Herwig,  and  Siegfried  without  more  ado. 


328  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 


This  being  settled,  they  turned  their  attention  to  the  ships  ;  but 
great  was  their  despair  when  they  found  that  most  of  them  had 
been  burnt  in  the  fight,  and  of  those  that  remained  very  few  were 
seaworthy.  Herwig  and  his  men  would  have  started  alone  in  the 
few  vessels  that  remained,  but  Irolt  the  Frisian  stopped  them,  by 
drawing  their  attention  to  a  fleet  that  was  already  approaching  the 
shore.  The  masts  and  flags  of  the  coming  ships  all  bore  the  sign 
of  the  cross,  and  on  deck  were  figures  in  long  grey  garments,  with 
the  staff  of  peace  in  their  hands. 

"  They  are  pilgrims  going  to  the  Holy  Sepulchre,"  said  Horand 
the  minstrel. 

The  pilgrims  disembarked  and  pitched  their  tents  on  the  strand, 
to  enjoy  a  little  rest  after  their  long  and  toilsome  voyage. 

"  Necessity  knows  no  law,"  said  Wate.  "  These  pious  men  must 
put  off  their  journey  for  a  little.  They  have  plenty  of  time  to  do 
their  penance  in.  Let  us  borrow  their  vessels  and  provisions.  If 
we  return,  we  can  reward  them  rfchly  for  the  enforced  loan." 

Horand  and  Frute  warned  their  friends  that  such  a  deed  would 
surely  bring  its  punishment.  The  pilgrims  raised  their  hands  in 
piteous  entreaty.  All  in  vain.  King  Hettel  decided  to  take  the 
ships,  and  Wate  and  Herwig  voted  with  him. 

So  the  heroes  sailed  over  the  high  seas  in  pursuit  of  the  Nor- 
mans, in  ships  that  bore  the  cross  as  their  pennon. 

After  many  days'  sail  they  saw  before  them  a  low  flat  island, 
called  the  Wolpensand,  and  on  it  a  great  army  was  encamped,  upon 
whose  banners  was  depicted  a  raven  with  widespread  wings,  the 
ensign  of  the  Normans.  They  were  able  to  get  quite  close  to  the 
land,  thanks  to  the  pilgrims'  ships,  before  their  real  character 
was  discovered.  But  no  sooner  was  it  known,  than  the  Normans 
sprang  to  their  feet,  and  shouting  their  battle-cry,  stood  ready 
to  defend  themselves. 

The  battle  began.     Lances  and  arrows  filled  the  air,  and  many  a 


GUDRON.  329 

deed  of  desperate  valour  was  done  on  either  side.  Darkness  alone 
put  an  end  to  the  fight.  The  victory  was  undecided.  It  was 
a  dark  and  cloudy  night,  and  the  flickering  watch-fires  alone 
threw  any  light  upon  the  scene.  Then  it  was  that  King  Hettel 
challenged  Ludwig  to  single  combat,  telling  him  that  he  should 
always  regard  him  as  a  coward  if  he  did  not  at  once  arm  him 
for  the  fray,  Ludwig  accepted  the  challenge,  and  came  out  to 
meet  the  king.  Many  a  shrewd  blow  did  the  heroes  exchange 
before  Ludwig  at  length  gave  his  adversary  his  death-wound 
Seeing  their  leader  fall,  the  Hegelings  rushed  forward  shouting  theii 
battle-cry,  and  a  general  engagement  took  place  in  the  darkness. 
None  could  tell  friend  from  foe,  and  many  a  brave  warrior  fell 
under  his  comrade's  spear.  The  leaders  on  either  side  ordered  the 
horns  to  blow  the  recall,  and  the  two  armies  took  up  their  position 
at  a  greater  distance  from  each  other  than  before.'  Knowing  the 
vengeance  the  Hegelings  would  take  on  the  following  day,  the 
Normans  thought  prudence  the  better  part  of  valour,  and  set  sail 
for  home  under  cover  of  the  night,  taking  their  prisoners  with 
them  ;  for  they  were  on  their  way  home  from  Hegelingland. 

At  daybreak,  old  Wate  called  his  men  to  be  up  and  doing. 
Great  was  the  astonishment  of  all  when  they  found  their  enemy 
flown.  Wate  and  Herwig  were  keen  to  follow  the  Normans  with- 
out loss  of  time,  but  Frute  and  Morung  advised  them  to  be  pru- 
dent. They  reminded  them  of  the  numbers  of  men  they  had  lost, 
and  advised  that  they  should  go  home,  and  wait  till  the  young 
men,  who  were  growing  up,  should  be  old  enough  to  bear  arms. 

The  wisdom  of  this  advice  was  recognised  by  all.  Herwig  alone 
felt  indignant,  but  he  was  powerless  to  act  unaided,  so  he  returned 
to  Zealand  to  work  for  his  people,  until  the  time  should  come  to 
renew  the  expedition. 

Queen  Hilde  was  sad  at  heart  when  she  saw  the  Hegelings 
return  vanquished,  and  without  either  her  husband  or  daughter. 


THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 


But  what  could  she  do  ?     She  was  only  a  weak  woman,  unable  to 
wield  a  sword,  to  avenge  Hettel  or  to  save  Gudrun. 

Horand,  Morung,  and  Irolt  mourned  the  dead  king  with  her, 
but  old  Wate  chid  them  for  women,  and  bade  them  rouse  them- 
selves, and  teach  the  youth  of  the  land  all  warlike  accomplishments, 
to  the  end  that  they  might  v/in  the  day  when  the  time  for  ven- 
geance came. 


IV.     QUEEN  GERLIND. 


1\  /["  EANWHILE  the  Norman  fleet  had  reached  its  destination. 

"^' ■*■  Queen  Gerlind,  her  gentle  daughter  Ortrun,  their  ladies, 
and  many  of  the  citizens  of  Cassian  went  down  to  the  harbour  to 
welcome  the  heroes  home.  After  they  had  greeted  the  kings,  Ortrun 
hastened  to  sad  Gudrdn's  side,  and,  embracing  her,  told  her  to  be 
of  good  courage.  Gudriin  was  touched  by  the  maiden's  kindness, 
though  it  could  not  stop  her  tears  ;  but  when  Queen  Gerlind 
would  have  kissed  her,  she  recoiled  from  her  touch,  for  the  sharp- 
featured  woman  with  the  bold,  glittering  eyes  seemed  to  her  a 
spiteful  snake,  ready  to  dart  on  his  prey  and  crush  it  in  his  coils. 

"  Eh,  pretty  puppet,"  said  the  offended  queen.  "  What,  so  shy  } 
But  you'll  soon  grow  tame  under  my  training."  She  would  have 
said  more,  but  Hartmut  interposed,  saying  that  Gudrun  was  to  be 
his  wife  when  the  days  of  mourning  for  her  father  were  over.  He 
then  offered  the  princess  his  arm,  and  sorely  against  her  will,  she 
had  to  enter  the  palace  side  by  side  with  him.  Some  of  the  towns- 
folk, watching  her,  said,  "  How  beautiful  she  is  !  "  to  which  others 
made  answer,  "  But  how  sad  !  " 

Days  and  weeks  passed  on.  Hartmut  did  his  best  to  win  fair 
Gudrdn's  love,  but  all  his  efforts  were  vain.  One  day  he  asked  her 
why  she  would  not  love  him,  and  she  replied  that  he  was  a  great 
and  noble  warrior,  well  worthy  of  a  woman's  love,  but  she  was 
betrothed  to  Hervvig,  and  would  never  break  her  troth.     Queen 

33* 


332  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

Gerlind  was  not  of  so  patient  a  disposition  as  her  son :  she  was 
determined  to  break  Gudriin's  proud  spirit,  and  force  her  to  consent 
to  marry  Hartmut.  At  first  she  tried  soft  words  and  flattering 
speeches  ;  but  finding  these  of  no  avail,  she  had  recourse  to  sterner 
measures,  though  she  waited  till  her  son  had  left  home  on  a  warlike 
expedition.  Before  going  he  confided  Gudriin  to  his  mother's  care, 
telling  her  she  might  "  try  to  tame  the  wild  bird  "  in  any  fashion 
she  liked,  that  was  not  inconsistent  with  the  maiden's  royal  dignity. 

No  sooner  was  Hartmut  gone,  than  Queen  Gerlind  set  to  work. 
She  made  Gudrun  dress  like  a  servant,  and  then  set  her  and 
her  maidens  to  cook  and  sweep,  and  do  all  the  hardest  work  in 
the  palace.  Gudrun  bore  her  wrongs  in  patient  silence.  Her  soft 
hands  were  blistered  with  scrubbing  pots  and  pans,  and  doing 
other  kitchen  work,  with  which  she  was  busied  from  early  morning 
till  late  at  night.  The  queen  would  sometimes  ask  her  viciously 
if  she  would  not  rather  wear  the  Norman  crown  than  continue 
to  slave  in  that  manner,  but  she  answered  gently  that  she  would 
keep  her  troth. 

So  she  did  all  that  was  given  her  to  do  through  the  hot 
summer  days,  and  in  the  icy  cold  of  winter,  without  uttering  a 
single  murmur  at  her  hard  fate. 

Year  after  year  she  lived  this  wretched  life.  At  length  Hartmut 
came  home  victorious  from  his  wars.  He  greeted  his  father, 
mother,  and  sister  with  warm  affection,  and  then  looked  round 
for  Gudrun.  When  he  saw  her  dressed  in  coarse  clothing,  and 
doing  hard  work,  he  was  very  angry  with  his  mother  for  her  ill- 
treatment  of  the  girl.  He  begged  Gudrun  to  forgive  what  was  past 
and  gone,  and  grant  him  her  love,  trying  to  rouse  her  ambition  by 
dwelling  on  the  wealth  and  greatness  of  the  kingdom  he  offered 
to  skare  with  her.  But  Gudriin  answered  that  a  noble-minded 
woman  could  love  but  once,  and  never  again.  So  he  left  her,  but 
took  care  to  protect  her  from  Gerlind's  malice. 


QUEEN  GERUND.  333 


Gudrun  was  restored  to  her  former  position,  and  slept  that  night 
in  her  old  room.  Next  morning,  when  she  awoke,  she  found  the 
princess  Ortrun,  whom  she  had  not  seen  for  a  long  time,  bending 
over  her.  The  two  girls  spent  the  summer  together,  and  learnt 
to  love  each  other  warmly.  As  autumn  came  on,  Gudrun  thought 
that  her  friend  looked  graver  and  sadder  than  her  wont,  and 
asked  her  the  reason  of  the  change.  Ortrun  then  confessed 
that  as  Gudrun  had  not  given  way  to  Hartmut's  entreaties,  but 
remained  obdurate  as  ever,  Gerlind  intended  to  separate  her 
daughter  from  the  Hegeling  princess. 

While  the  two  girls  were  talking,  Hartmut  joined  them,  and 
said  : 

"  Lady  Gudrun,  the  warrior  to  whom  you  plighted  your  troth  is 
not  worthy  of  your  love,  otherwise  he  would  not  have  allowed  so 
many  years  to  pass  without  coming  in  search  of  you  at  the  head 
of  his  men.  He  has  forgotten  you,  and  is  most  likely  married  to 
another." 

"  You  do  not  know  him,  noble  hero,"  answered  Gudrun  ;  "  death 
alone,  which  looses  all  bonds,  could  separate  us." 

"  What  if  he  has  fallen  in  battle,  or  has  died  of  some  illness  ?  " 
asked  the  young  king. 

"  Then  he  shall  find  me  faithful  when  I  join  him  where  there  :s 
no  more  parting,"  replied  the  princess,  with  a  look  of  courageous 
resolve. 

So  Hartmut  took  leave  of  her,  and  again  went  away  to  try  and 
forget  her  amid  the  excitement  of  battle. 

When  he  was  gone.  Queen  Gerlind  once  more  deposed  Gudriin 
from  her  high  estate,  and  sent  her  to  wash  the  clothes,  making  her 
work  from  early  morning  till  late  at  night,  and  threatening  her  with 
the  rod  if  she  were  lazy  ;  but  the  princess  worked  too  hard  to  give 
her  an  excuse  for  inflicting  this  last  indignity. 

More  years  passed   on,  and  at  length   Hartmut  returned   vie- 


334  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

torious  as  at  first.  He  spoke  to  GudrCin,  but  found  her  faithful  as 
ever  to  Herwig. 

Gerlind,  after  this,  was  harder  than  ever  to  Gudrftn.  The  other 
HegeHng  maidens  were  given  lighter  tasks  than  she.  They  had  to 
spin  and  card  flax  and  wool,  while  their  beloved  mistress  had  to 
wash  the  clothes  all  the  cold  winter  through,  and  often,  on  her 
return  from  the  shore,  she  sank  into  an  exhausted  sleep  on  her 
straw  pallet,  without  having  the  strength  first  to  take  off  her 
wet  garments.  At  last  matters  came  to  such  a  pass  that  her  cousin 
Hildburg  could  hold  her  peace  no  longer,  and  asked  the  queen  how 
she  dared  treat  a  princess  with  such  cruelty  and  disrespect.  Upon 
which  Gerlind  set  her  to  join  her  mistress  in  her  work. 

This  was  just  what  Hildburg  wanted.  Her  great  desire  was 
to  be  with  her  mistress,  to  cheer  and  comfort  her,  and  lighten 
her  toil.  Still  Gudrun  had  often  to  go  down  to  the  shore  alone 
when  Hildburg  was  busy  at  the  castle.  On  one  of  these  occasions 
she  saw  a  swan  come  swimming  over  the  sea. 

"  O  swan,  had  I  thy  wings,  I  would  soar  into  the  sky  and  hie 
me  to  my  home." 

While  she  spoke,  the  swan  dived  into  the  sea,  and  in  its  place 
up  came  a  mermaid  : 

"  O  heart  long  tried  and  true,  thy  grief  shall  pass  away :  thy 
lover  and  thy  kindred  live,  and  lo,  they  hasten  to  thy  rescue." 

So  saying,  the  mermaid  dived,  and  again  the  white  swan  floated 
on  the  wave.  He  spread  his  wings  and  rose  in  the  air,  flew  three 
times  round  the  princess,  and  sang : 

"  True  love  on  the  earth  may  yet  be  found, 
True  hearts  that  never  roam  ; 
Lo,  through  the  breakers'  foam 
*Tis  thy  warrior's  bark  o'er  the  wave  doth  bound, 
To  lead  his  true-love  home." 

It  was  well  for  Gudrun  that  she  had  this  secret  hope  to  support 


MEETING  OF   OLD   FRIENDS. 


336 


QUEEN  GERUND.  337 


her,  for  Gerlind's  cruelty  grew  daily  more  intolerable.  The  prin- 
cess and  Hildburg  were  forced  to  wash  the  clothes  on  the  sea- 
shore, dressed  in  simple  linen  shifts,  and  without  shoes.  When  they 
begged  for  shoes,  the  cold  was  so  terrible,  their  taskmistress  gave 
them  insulting  words,  and  threatened  to  scourge  them  with  thorns 
if  their  day's  work  were  not  finished  by  evening.  Trembling  with 
cold  in  the  cutting  east  wind,  and  their  beautiful  hair  blowing  about 
their  faces,  they  worked  on  busily.  Suddenly  they  saw  a  boat 
gliding  swiftly  along  the  shore,  rowed  by  two  warriors  in  full 
armour.  The  maidens,  ashamed  of  their  insufficient  clothing, 
would  have  fled,  but  the  men  called  to  them  to  stop,  and  tell  them 
what  castle  that  was  on  the  height  above.  When  they  added  that 
they  would  throw  the  linen  into  the  sea  unless  they  received  an 
answer,  the  girls  came  back,  and  as  they  did  so,  Gudriln  whis- 
pered : — 

•'  See,  it  is  Herwig.  I  know  him  well,  but  he — he  has  for- 
gotten me." 

And  in  good  truth  the  hero  was  unaware  that  his  long-lost  bride 
stood  there  before  him  ;  but  no  sooner  had  she  pushed  her  flutter- 
ing hair  back  from  her  face,  than  he  recognised  her,  hastened  to 
her,  and  clasped  her  in  his  arms.  When  the  other  warrior  opened 
his  visor,  Gudrun  exclaimed,  "  Ortwin ! "  and  threw  herself  into 
her  brother's  arms. 

Then  Ortwin  turned  to  her  companion,  and  said,  taking  her  hand 
in  his: 

"  It  is  you,  Hildburg !  Do  not  be  ashamed  to  confess  that 
you  and  I  have  long  loved  each  other,  and  would  have  been 
openly  betrothed  years  ago,  had  not  the  Normans  carried  you 
off." 

They  then  exchanged  the  kiss  of  betrothal. 

Herwig  wished  to  take  the  two  girls  away  with  them  at  once,  but 
Ortwin  would  not  consent.     He  said  they  must  come  openly  on  the 

Y 


338  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

morrow  for  GudrOn  and  Hildburg,  who  should  never  run  away 
secretly  from  their  captors. 

The  two  girls  stood  on  the  shore  watching  the  boat  as  long 
as  it  was  in  sight.  At  length  Hildburg  in  startled  accents 
begged  her  friend  to  help  her  to  finish  the  washing.  But  Gudrun 
answered  proudly  that  the  days  of  her  slavery  were  over,  and, 
so  saying,  she  cast  one  garment  after  another  into  the  sea,  and 
watched  them  floating  away  on  the  waves  with  a  smile  ;  while 
poor  Hildburg  tremblingly  remembered  that  they  were  still  in 
the  power  of  the  Norman  queen. 

When  they  reached  the  castle,  Gerlind  came  down  to  meet 
them,  asking  why  they  were  so  early,  and  what  they  had  done 
with  the  linen.  Gudriln  answered  that  the  work  was  too  hard 
for  them,  and  that  she  had  thrown  the  clothes  into  the  sea,  where 
Queen  Gerlind's  men  might  find  them  yet,  if  she  did  not  delay 
too  long  in  sending  out  boats.  The  queen  was  dumb  with 
astonishment  when  she  heard  the  gentle,  patient  Gudrun  speak 
to  her  in  such  a  manner ;  but  soon  recovering  herself,  she 
called  her  bond-women  to  fetch  thorny  rods,  and  beat  the 
maidens  for  their  insolence.  The  women  hastened  to  do  as  they 
were  desired  ;  but  Gudrun  called  to  them  to  stop,  telling  them 
to  touch  her  at  their  peril,  for  she  would  be  their  queen  on 
the  morrow. 

"  And  will  you  really  marry  Hartmut  ?"  asked  Gerlind  joyfully. 
"  I  fear  there  is  some  trick  in  this." 

"  Bring  the  king  here,"  said  Gudrun  ;  "  I  would  speak  with 
him." 

The  queen  went  thoughtfully  to  her  son,  and  said  : — 

"  Hartmut,  that  obstinate  girl  has  given  in  at  last,  and  has 
consented  to  be  your  wife,  but    .    .     ." 

"  No  *  but,'"  cried  the  hero,  "  she  consents !— mother,  I  must  hear 
her  say  so  with  her  own  lips,"  and  he  hastened  from  the  room. 


QUEEN  GERUND 


339 


When  he  saw  Gudrun,  he  would  have  clasped  her  in  his  arms 
but  she  signed  to  him  not  to  approach  her,  telling  him  that 
she  could  not  listen  to  him  in  the  abode  of  her  misery  ;  but 
that  next  morning,  in  the  full  light  of  day,  and  in  presence  of 
all  the  warriors,  she  would  receive,  and  give  the  bridal  ring. 
Hartmut  now  gave  orders  that  Gudrun  should  be  provided  with 
all  that  was  necessary  for  the  comfort  and  well-being  of  the 
future  queen,  and  that  her  maidens  should  be  restored  to  her. 

His  orders  were  fulfilled.  The  princess  and  Hildburg  kept 
their  secret  well.  It  was  not  till  the  Hegeling  maidens  were  all 
safe  in  their  sleeping  chamber  that  they  heard  of  the  arrival  of 
Ortwin  and  Herwig. 


V.  BATTLE  AND  VICTORY. 


BEFORE  day-break  one  of  the  maidens  stationed  herself  at 
the  window,  and  gazed  anxiously  over  the  sea.  After  some 
time  she  saw  vessels  full  of  armed  men  approaching  the  shore ; 
and,  with  difficulty  restraining  a  cry  of  joy,  she  wakened  her 
mistress  and  told  her  the  good  news.  Not  long  after,  the  alarm 
was  given  from  the  tower,  where  the  sleepy  watchman  had  just 
woke  up. 

Queen  Gerlind  had  her  wits  about  her  more  than  any  one  else. 
She  did  not  need  to  be  told  who  the  enemy  were,  and  had 
given  the  requisite  orders  to  the  garrison  before  Ludwig's  and 
Hartmut's  eyes  were  well  open.  But  when  the  kings  were  ready, 
they  countermanded  her  orders,  and  instead  of  defending  the 
castle,  marched  out  to  meet  the  foe  in  spite  of  all  her  warnings 
and  entreaties. 

Each  party  moved  forward  to  meet  the  other  in  close  array, 

and  no  sooner  had  they  met    than   the   battle   began.      Ortwin 

and  Hartmut  fought  hand  to  hand,  and  Ortwin  had  well  been 

overthrown,  had  not  bold  Horand  struck  up  the  Norman's  spear. 

But  he  too  was   unable  to  withstand  the   king,    and   was   soon 

afterwards   carried   to   the   rear   by  his   men,  severely   wounded. 

Meantime    Herwig    and    Ludwig   had    met,  and   after  a  terrible 

combat,  the  latter  was  slain. 

"  The  king  is  dead !"  cried  his  men,  and  they  fled  incontinently, 

340 


BATTLE  AND   VICTORY.  34 r 

pursued  by  the  victor,  strong  Irolt,  and  Siegfried  the  Moor. 
The  old  hero  of  Sturmland  pressed  the  advantage.  His  sword- 
arm  was  never  still  for  a  moment,  and  he  was  always  in  the  front 
rank.  When  the  terrified  Normans  fled  to  the  castle,  they  found, 
to  their  horror,  that  he  was  close  behind  them.  They  only  got 
the  great  gate  shut  just  in  time.  But  Wate  was  not  to  be  done, 
He  shouted  to  his  men  to  bring  up  ladders  and  storming  tackle, 
meaning  to  scale  the  wall. 

Hartmut,  ignorant  of  his  father's  death,  had  continued  to  fight 
bravely,  till  he  saw  that  the  Normans  were  flying.  He  then 
retreated  slowly  to  the  castle  with  his  immediate  followers. 
Looking  up  at  the  battlements,  he  saw  Queen  Gerlind  giving  a 
man  a  naked  sword,  and  pointing  with  fierce  earnestness  to  the 
women's  apartments  in  the  castle.  He  knew  his  mother,  and 
feared  that  she  was  telling  the  man  to  go  and  murder  the 
Hegeling  women,  so  he  exclaimed  in  a  loud  voice  of  com- 
mand : 

"  Coward  !  If  you  raise  your  hand  to  murder  any  woman,  I 
will  have  you  hung  before  sunset." 

The  man  let  the  sword  fall  to  the  ground,  and  slunk  away. 
At  this  moment  Hartmut,  to  his  intense  amazement,  caught  sight 
of  old  Wate  at  the  castle  gate.  He  looked  round  for  help, 
but  Ludwig  was  nowhere  to  be  seen  ;  on  every  side  waved  the 
banners  of  the  Hegelings  and  their  allies,  and  their  foremost 
men  were  fast  closing  round  him  and  his  little  band.  Hartmut 
was  too  brave  to  fly  ;  he  prepared  to  defend  himself  to  the  last. 
The  lord  of  Sturmland  now  came  forward  to  attack  him  ;  and 
although  he  fought  desperately,  it  had  gone  ill  with  him,  if 
Herwig  had  not  thrown  himself  in  the  old  warrior's  way,  and 
pleaded  for  his  rival's  life.  In  the  heat  of  the  conflict,  Wate 
did  not  notice  who  it  was  that  addressed  him  ;  he  brought  down 
one  of  his  sledge-hammer  blows  on  Herwig's  head,  and  the  king 


342  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 


of  Zealand  was  stretched  unconscious  on  the  ground  beside  many 
a  dead  and  dying  Norman.  This  restored  the  wild  lord  of 
Sturmland  to  his  senses.  Leaving  Hartmut  alone,  he  bent  over 
his  friend,  and,  to  his  joy,  discovered  him  to  be  whole  and  sound. 
As  soon  as  Herwig  was  on  his  feet  again,  Watc  asked  : 

*'  What  devil  possessed  you  to  make  me  spare  the  life  of  that 
Norman  robber?" 

"  No  devil  at  all,"  replied  Herwig ;  "  the  noble  Gudrun  loves 
the  Princess  Ortrun,  and,  for  her  sake,  begged  that  Hartmut's  hfe 
should  be  spared." 

"Women,  women!"  cried  the  old  warrior.  "They  are  all 
alike.  They  have  soft  hearts,  as  easily  moved  as  a  fleecy  cloud 
is  blown  by  the  breeze.  But  now  let  us  haste,  and  trap  the 
she-wolf  in  her  lair." 

At  length  the  castle  gate  was  burst  open,  and  the  hero  of 
Sturmland  cut  his  way  through  the  small  crowd  of  defenders 
to  the  women's  apartments.  There  he  found  Gudrun  surrounded 
by  all  the  frightened  women  in  the  palace,  while  Ortrun  and 
Gerlind  knelt  at  her  feet  and  entreated  her  protection. 

"Where  is  the  she-wolf?"  shouted  Wate.  "Speak,  Gudriin, 
and  you  others !" 

He  was  awful  to  look  upon,  with  his  grim,  stern  face,  his  armour 
and  sword  dripping  with  the  blood  of  his  enemies ;  but  Gudrun 
did  not  quail,  nor  did  she  utter  a  single  word  to  betray  the 
cruel  woman  who  had  used  her  so  badly.  She  sat  still  and 
quiet,  full  of  a  gentle  dignity,  and  looked  at  the  angry  old  man 
without  blenching. 

He  cast  a  quick  glance  round  the  room  in  search  of  Gerlind, 
and  as  he  did  so,  one  of  the  maidens  pointed  to  the  queen. 
The  moment  he  saw  the  glittering,  snaky  eyes,  he  caught  Gerlind 
by  the  hair,  and  dragging  her  to  the  battlements,  cut  off  her 
head,  and  flung  both  it  and  the  body  over  the  wall. 


GERLIND   AND   ORTRUN   AT   GUDrOn'S   FEET. 


343 


BATTLE  AND    VICTORY.  345 

"Now  the  other!"  he  cried,  rushing  up  to  the  terrified  Ortrun  ; 
"  she  belongs  to  the  serpent's  brood,  and  must  share  her  mother's 
fate." 

But  Gudrun  held  the  maiden  tightly  clasped  in  her  arms,  and 
told  the  grim  warrior  of  all  the  love  and  tenderness  that  Ortrun 
had  shown  her,  so  Wate  was  fain  to  be  satisfied  with  the  ven- 
geance he  had  already  wreaked. 

Meanwhile  the  fighting  outside  the  castle  had  also  ceased.  The 
Norman  hero,  weary  to  death,  had  surrendered  with  the  eighty 
warriors  that  were  left  him. 

Three  days  later,  the  victorious  army  went  on  board  their 
ships,  and  set  sail  for  the  land  of  the  Hegelings,  leaving  Morung 
and  his  men  to  garrison  Cassian.  Hartmut,  and  Ortrun  with 
thirty  of  her  maidens,  had  to  accompany  their  conquerors.  On 
their  way  they  touched  at  Wolpensand,  where  Queen  Hilde  had 
had  a  minster  built,  and  the  bones  of  those  who  fell  in  the  old 
fight  buried  ;  and  there  the  heroes  gave  solemn  thanks  for  their 
great  victory.  Ortrun  sat  alone  in  the  churchyard,  looking  at 
the  graves :  she  thought  of  her  slain  father,  and  wished  that  she 
too  were  at  rest.  But  Gudrun  coming  up  to  her,  took  her  by 
the  hand  and  led  her  to  the  Moorish  king  Siegfried,  who  desired 
to  gain  her  love.  During  the  remainder  of  the  voyage,  GudrOn 
managed  to  throw  the  two  much  together,  and  delighted  in 
telling  Ortrun  of  Siegfried's  noble  and  warlike  deeds. 

In  the  meantime  Queen  Hilde,  and  Hergart,  Herwig's  sister, 
often  sat  together  at  a  window  overlooking  the  sea.  The  Hege- 
ling  army  must  soon  return,  but  how  would  it  return  ?  and  would 
Gudrfin  have  kept  her  troth?  Hilde  was  not  so  hopeful  as  her 
young  companion,  for  she  was  more  used  to  sorrow.  One  day 
when  they  were  at  the  window  as  usual,  Hergart  saw  the  fleet 
appear  in  the  distance,  and  uttering  a  cry  of  joy,  told  Queen 
Hilde  that  their  friends  were  coming  back. 


346  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

Before  the  queen  and  her  ladies  could  get  down  to  the  shore, 
Wate  had  already  landed.  On  seeing  the  queen,  he  at  once 
told  her  the  good  news. 

The  rest  of  the  ships  were  not  long  in  arriving,  and  soon  Hilde 
had  the  pleasure  of  embracing  her  daughter,  the  long-lost  Gudrun. 
Time  passed  on,  and  joy  reigned  in  every  breast  but  one.  Hart- 
mut  ate  out  his  soul  in  sadness.  Gentle  Hergart  pitied  him,  and 
begged  Queen  Hilde  to  use  her  influence  to  have  him  set  at  liberty, 
and  allowed  to  return  to  his  kingdom.  But  Hilde  explained  how 
impossible  it  was  to  let  a  man  go  free  who  was  sure  to  bear 
them  deadly  enmity,  and  attack  them  when  he  could.  Hartmut 
one  day  by  accident  overheard  Hergart  pleading  for  him  so 
tenderly  and  so  wisely  that  he  was  deeply  touched.  He  began  to 
think  that  she  was,  if  possible,  even  more  beautiful  than  Gudrun, 
and  took  the  first  opportunity  he  could  find  of  speaking  to  her. 
It  was  not  long  before  they  learnt  to  love  each  other.  Hartmut 
told  the  queen  about  it,  and  asked  for  her  consent  to  his  marriage 
with  Hergart,  which  she  at  once  granted,  and  at  the  same  time 
gave  him  back  his  sword  and  freedom,  for  the  husband  of  sweet 
Hergart  could  never  be  aught  else  than  the  friend  of  the  Hege- 
lings 

A  few  weeks  later,  a  great  marriage  feast  was  held,  in  which 
four  couples  appeared  before  the  altar  to  receive  a  priestly  blessing 
on  their  vows  ;  after  which  they  adjourned  to  the  banqueting-hall, 
where  all  old  scores  were  forgiven  and  forgotten  for  the  sake  of 
the  happiness  that  now  prevailed.  Then  the  old  minstrel,  Horand, 
took  up  his  harp  and  sang  his  last  song.  In  it  he  told  of  the 
great  deeds  he  had  known  ;  he  sang  of  noble  lives  and  noble 
deaths,  of  truth  and  constancy ;  and  when  he  ceased,  there  was 
not  a  dry  eye  in  the  hall,  for  even  the  grim  lord  of  Sturmland 
was  seen  to  dash  away  a  tear. 


BEOWULF. 

I.E.,  BEE- WOLF,  OR  WOODPECKER.) 

I.     Grendel. 

/^^NE  evening  while  the  warriors  were  feasting  in  King  Hrod- 
^-^  gar's  hall,  a  minstrel  was  called  upon  to  sing.  He  tuned 
his  harp,  and  sang  of  the  coming  of  Skiold,  the  son  whom  Odin 
sent  to  live  a  human  life  among  mortal  men.  He  told  how  the 
babe  had  been  seen  lying  on  a  shield  floating  on  the  waves  of  the 
sea,  how  he  had  been  drawn  ashore  and  carefully  tended,  and  how 
he  had  become  a  mighty  king  and  warrior  in  Jutland.  He  sang 
of  Skiold's  glorious  life,  of  the  kingdom  he  had  left  to  his  children 

34T 


348  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

and  grandchildren  ;  and  last  of  all  he  sung  of  Hrodgar,  Skiold's 
most  famous  grandson,  who,  like  him,  was  the  patron  of  all 
peaceful  arts,  the  protector  of  all  peaceful  folk,  and  the  punisher 
of  evil-doers. 

Many  heroes  were  collected  round  the  king  that  night  at  Hirsch- 
halle,  so  called  from  the  gigantic  antlers  of  a  royal  stag,  which, 
carved  in  stone,  adorned  the  battlements.  At  length  the  time 
came  for  the  warriors  to  separate  for  the  night,  and  as  there  were 
too  many  of  them  to  be  accommodated  elsewhere,  beds  were  made 
up  for  them  in  the  great  hall.  Two  and  thirty  brave  men  lay 
down  to  sleep  on  the  couches  spread  for  them  ;  but  next  morning, 
when  the  servants  came  to  waken  them,  they  were  gone.  The 
room  was  in  confusion,  here  and  there  might  be  seen  stains  of 
blood,  and  other  signs  of  struggle. 

King  Hrodgar  came  himself  as  soon  as  he  heard  what  had 
chanced,  and  examined  the  place  carefully  to  try  and  find  out  the 
cause  of  the  disaster.  He  followed  the  blood-stains  through  the 
hall,  and  out  of  doors,  and  there,  in  the  soft  earth,  he  saw  the 
deep  footprints  of  a  giant.  The  whole  afifair  was  clear  to  him 
now.  He  knew  that  the  monster  Grendel,  who  had  been  banished 
the  land  by  the  aid  of  a  great  magician,  had  at  length  returned. 
When  it  became  known  that  Grendel  had  come  back,  ten  warriors 
offered  to  keep  watch  in  the  hall,  and  fight  the  giant  if  he  tried 
to  come  in.  Next  morning  they  were  gone.  They  had  either 
been  surprised  in  their  sleep,  or  had  not  been  strong  enough  to 
withstand  the  monster.  The  Skioldungs'  people  were  brave  and 
fearless,  so  twelve  other  heroes  immediately  offered  their  services. 
Eleven  of  them  laid  themselves  down  to  sleep  in  their  armour, 
while  the  twelfth,  a  minstrel,  kept  watch. 

At  midnight  the  giant  came,  smacking  his  great  lips,  and  slowly 
dragging  his  heavy  body  along.  The  minstrel  saw  and  heard  all 
that  took  place ;  but  he  could  neither  speak  nor  move ;  he  was, 


BEOWULF. 


349 


as  it  were,  paralysed  with  fear,  and  at  last  sank  back  senseless. 
Next  morning,  when  with  infinite  trouble  they  restored  him  to 
consciousness,  he  either  could  not,  or  would  not,  tell  what  he  had 
seen.  He  picked  up  his  arms  and  his  harp,  pointed  to  the 
stains  on  the  floor,  and  strode  down  to  the  strand  without  a  word 
or  sign  of  farewell  to  any  one.  A  vessel  was  on  the  point  of 
sailing  for  Gothland,  so  he  went  on  board,  and  had  soon  left  the 
ill-fated  shores  of  Jutland  behind. 

II.    Beowulf,  the  Bold  Diver. 

Hygelak,  a  brave  and  heroic  man,  ruled  over  Gothland  at  this 
time.  He  was  surrounded  by  a  band  of  famous  warriors,  chief 
among  whom  was  his  nephew  Beowulf  (bee-hunter,  i.e.,  wood- 
pecker), son  of  Ektheov.  When  the  harper  arrived  in  Gothland,  he 
found  that  the  Swedes  had  invaded  the  country,  and  a  great  battle 
was  about  to  take  place.  A  few  days  later  the  battle  was  fought, 
and  would  have  gone  badly  with  the  Goths  had  it  not  been  for 
the  almost  superhuman  prowess  displayed  by  Beowulf,  who,  in  spite 
of  repeated  disaster,  always  returned  to  the  charge.  His  coolness 
and  courage  kept  up  the  spirits  of  his  men,  and  at  last  the  Swedes 
had  to  return  to  their  own  land,  mourning  the  loss  of  their  king, 
and  of  many  a  valiant  hero. 

During  the  feast  that  was  given  in  honour  of  this  great  victory, 
the  stranger  minstrel  sang  to  the  assembled  warriors  of  the  great 
deeds  of  past  and  present  times.  He  sang  of  Siegmund  (Siegfried) 
the  brave  Wolsung,  and  of  all  his  adventures  with  giants  and 
dragons.  Then,  striking  yet  louder  chords  upon  his  harp,  he 
sang  of  Becwulfs  victory,  and  called  upon  him  to  do  yet  greater 
things,  to  seek  out  and  slay  the  horrible  fiend  of  the  fen,  Grendel, 
who  nightly  crept  into  the  Skioldungs'  hall,  and  fed  on  the  blood 
of  heroes. 

Beowulf  promised  to  go  and  try  to  slay  the  monster  that  had 


350  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND, 


done  such  incredible  mischief.  Now  one  of  the  great  lords,  Breka 
by  name,  was  envious  of  Beowulf  s  fame,  and  proposed  that  they 
two  should  on  the  morrow  go  down  to  the  sea,  and  fight  the 
monsters  of  the  deep.  They  would  then  see  which  of  them  was 
the  better  man  ;  and  the  one  that  reached  the  shore  first  after  the 
battle  was  over  should  receive  the  prize  of  victory.  It  was  agreed 
that  this  trial  of  strength  should  take  place  on  the  morrow,  and 
King  Hygelak  promised  to  give  the  gold  chain  he  wore  round  his 
neck  to  whichever  was  the  victor. 

Next  morning  the  sun  rose  red  in  the  east,  the  stormy  sea 
moaned,  groaned,  and  dashed  upon  the  shore,  as  though  demanding 
a  human  sacrifice.  The  two  bold  swimmers  stood  on  the  strand, 
arrayed  in  their  shirts  of  mail,  their  swords  in  their  hands.  When 
the  signal  was  given,  they  flung  themselves  into  the  raging  sea, 
and  were  soon  lost  to  sight.  They  kept  close  together,  that  they 
might  come  to  each  other's  help  if  hard  pressed  by  the  monsters 
of  the  deep,  but  were  at  length  parted  by  waves  which  bore 
them  in  different  directions.  Breka  soon  after  found  himself  in 
calm  water,  where  he  swam  about  until  it  was  time  to  return. 
Beowulf,  on  the  contrary,  was  carried  to  a  place  where  the  waves 
beat  fiercely  against  great  cliffs  that  towered  above  the  water,  a 
place  that  swarmed  with  polypi,  sea-dragons,  and  horrible  nixies, 
all  lying  in  wait  for  their  prey.  Gigantic  arms  were  stretched  out 
to  grasp  him,  but  he  cut  them  down  with  his  sword.  Monsters 
of  every  sort  tried  to  clutch  and  stifle  him,  but  he  stabbed  them 
through  their  scales.  A  nixie  clasped  him  in  his  arms,  and  would 
have  dragged  him  down  to  his  cave,  but  he  stabbed  the  monster 
to  the  heart,  and  drew  him  to  the  surface  of  the  water.  After  a 
long  struggle  he  again  reached  the  open  sea,  and  then  strove  with 
all  his  might  to  get  home  before  the  sun  should  quite  have  set. 
The  storm  was  over,  so  that  there  was  the  less  danger.  Breka 
was  the  first  of  the  bold  swimmers  to  reach  the  shore.     He  turned 


BEOWULF.  351 


with  a  triumphant  smile  to  greet  Beowulf,  but  what  was  his 
astonishment,  and  that  of  all  present,  when  the  hero  dragged  the 
monstrous  form  of  the  nixie  on  the  sands,  and  stretched  it  out 
before  them.  The  princes  crowded  round  the  hideous  creature, 
and  gazed  at  his  enormous  limbs  in  speechless  amazement. 

"  Here  is  the  gold  chain,"  said  the  king  to  Breka.  "  You  have 
won  it  by  hard  labour  ;  but  my  bold  nephew  has  done  even  more 
than  you,  in  that  he  has  conquered  and  slain  one  of  the  monsters 
of  the  deep.  I  shall  therefore  give  him  my  good  sword  Nag- 
ling  with  the  golden  hilt,  and  the  Runic  letters  engraved  in  gold, 
that  are  sure  to  bring  good  fortune  to  the  possessor." 

Beowulf  was  held  in  high  honour  by  the  Goths ;  but  he  could 
not  sit  still,  satisfied  with  what  he  had  already  done.  He  longed 
to  free  the  royal  palace  of  the  Skioldungs  from  the  monster 
Grendel,  so  he  presently  took  ship  for  King  Hrodgar's  castle, 
accompanied  by  the  minstrel,  and  fifteen  noble  and  courageous 
Goths. 

On  their  ship  touching  the  strand  below  the  fortress,  the  watch- 
man asked  them  who  they  were,  and  what  brought  them  to  King 
Hrodgar's  land.  When  he  learnt  their  names  and  business,  he 
was  pleased,  and  sent  them  on  to  the  king.  Hrodgar  also  re- 
ceived them  with  joy  and  gratitude.  The  minstrel  tuned  his 
harp  and  sang  of  Beowulf's  heroic  deeds,  and  prophesied  that  he 
would  conquer  and  slay  the  monster  of  the  morass.  This  praise 
made  Hunford,  one  of  the  courtiers,  angry  and  jealous.  He  said 
it  was  Breka,  not  Beowulf,  that  had  won  the  golden  chain  ;  that 
the  Gothic  hero  was  undertaking  an  enterprise  that  would  very 
likely  lead  him  to  his  death  ;  and  he  advised  him  to  think  twice 
before  attacking  Grendel.  Upon  this,  Beowulf  exclaimed  indig- 
nantly that  he  had  won  a  good  sword  instead  of  the  golden  chain, 
and  that  it  was  sharp  enough  both  to  pierce  the  hide  of  the  monster 
and  to  cut  out  a  slanderous  tongue.     Hrodgar  bade  the  courtier 


352  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 


be  silent,  and  promised  the  Goth  that  if  he  were  victorious,  he 
would  give  him  rich  presents,  and  would  enter  into  a  firm  alli- 
ance with  his  people. 

At  night-fall  Hrodgar  and  his  warriors  withdrew,  and  serving- 
men  came  into  the  hall  to  make  up  beds  for  the  strangers. 
Beowulf  felt  so  confident  of  victory,  that  he  laid  aside  his  helmet 
and  shirt  of  mail,  and  then  gave  his  sword  to  the  groom  in 
attendance. 

"  I  intend  to  master  Grendel  with  my  fists,"  he  said ;  "  he  is 
unarmed,  and  I  will  meet  him  in  like  fashion." 

Midnight  came,  and  the  fiend  of  the  fen  rose  out  of  his  hiding- 
place.  He  expected  a  feast  that  night,  and,  wrapping  himself  in 
a  veil  of  mist,  made  his  way  to  the  palace.  He  entered  the 
banqueting-hall,  and,  at  sight  of  the  Goths,  a  grin  of  satisfaction 
spread  over  his  countenance,  displaying  his  great  teeth,  which 
resembled  boar's  tusks  in  size  and  shape.  At  the  same  time  he 
stretched  out  his  hairy  hands,  which  were  furnished  with  claws 
like  those  of  an  eagle. 

The  warriors  were  all  sunk  in  a  sleep  so  profound  as  to  seem 
like  enchantment.  Beowulf  alone  remained  awake,  and  that  only 
by  a  mighty  effort.  He  watched  the  monster  through  his  half- 
closed  eyes,  and  saw  him  stand  gloating  over  his  intended  victims, 
uncertain  with  whom  to  commence.  At  last  he  seemed  to  have 
made  up  his  mind,  for  he  hurled  himself  upon  one  of  the  sleepers, 
whom  he  rapidly  slew,  drinking  his  blood  with  evident  eagerness 
and  enjoyment.  He  turned  next  to  Beowulf  But  the  hero 
seized  his  outstretched  arm  in  such  a  firm  grip  that  he  bellowed 
with  pain.  And  now  began  a  terrible  struggle  between  the  man 
and  the  demon.  The  hall  trembled  to  its  foundation,  and  threa- 
tened every  instant  to  fall  in  ruins.  The  sleepers  awoke.  They 
drew  their  swords  and  fell  upon  the  monster  ;  but  their  weapons 
glanced  harmlessly  off  his  scaly  hide,  and  they  were  fain  to  take 


BEOWULF.  r,53 


refuge  in  out-of-the-way  corners,  that  they  might  not  be  trampled 
under  foot  by  the  wrestlers.  At  length  Grendel  had  to  acknow- 
ledge Beowulfs  mastery,  and  now  only  strove  to  escape.  With 
a  mighty  effort  he  succeeded  in  freeing  himself  from  the  hero's 
grasp,  but  at  the  price  of  one  of  his  arms,  which,  torn  out  at  the 
socket,  remained  in  his  antagonist's  hands.  Then,  with  a  howl  of 
rage  and  pain,  the  demon  fled  back  to  his  morass,  leaving  a  trail 
of  blood  to  mark  the  path  by  w^hich  he  had  gone. 

The  Gothic  hero  stood  in  the  middle  of  the  vast  hall,  holding 
his  trophy  in  his  right  hand.  The  rays  of  the  rising  sun  streamed 
in  at  the  window  and  lighted  up  his  head  as  with  a  glory.  His 
companions  crowded  round  him  and  greeted  him  with  awe  and 
reverence.  Then  he  fastened  the  trophy  of  his  victory  over  the 
door  of  the  hall,  and,  having  done  this,  he  returned  thanks  to 
All-father  for  having  given  him  strength  to  withstand  the  mon- 
ster. The  warriors  knelt  round  him  and  joined  him  in  his  praise 
and  thanksgiving. 

When  the  Goths  rose  from  their  knees,  they  saw  the  king  and 
his  courtiers  assembled  in  the  hall,  gazing  in  astonishment,  now 
at  them,  and  now  at  the  monster's  arm  over  the  doorway.  They 
told  Hrodgar  all  that  had  happened  during  the  night. 

The  king  was  at  first  too  much  amazed  to  speak,  but  recovering 
himself,  he  desired  his  nephew,  Hrodulf,  to  bring  the  gifts  he  had 
prepared  to  reward  the  victor.  The  warrior  soon  returned  with 
some  servants  bearing  the  presents,  which  Hrodgar  gave  to 
Beowulf  with  many  words  of  gratitude  for  the  service  he  had  done 
him  and  the  country.  He  then  prayed  the  Goth  to  stand  his 
friend  and  his  son's  friend  as  long  as  they  all  should  live. 

After  these  things  the  king  ordered  a  great  feast  to  be  prepared 
in  honour  of  the  last  night's  work.  While  this  was  being  done, 
Hunford  came  forward  and  said  : 

"  Noble  Beowulf,  I  wronged  you  yesterday  evening  by  my  scorn- 

z 


354  THE  HEGELTNG  LEGEND. 

ful  speech,  which  I  never  would  have  made  had  I  known  what  you 
were.  Will  you  accept  my  sword  Hrunting?  it  was  made  by 
dwarfs,  and  the  blade  was  hardened  in  dragon's  blood,  and,  in 
taking  it,  will  you  grant  me  your  forgiveness  and  friendship?" 

The  two  heroes  shook  hands  in  token  of  their  reconciliation, 
and  went  together  to  the  feast. 

When  the  feast  was  over,  and  the  warriors  sat  over  their  wine- 
cups,  the  minstrel  sang  of  Beowulf's  victory  over  Grendel,  and  of* 
the  alliance  which  had  that  day  been  concluded  between  the  Goths 
and  the  Skioldungs.  When  the  song  was  finished.  Queen  Walch- 
theov  filled  the  goblets  of  all  present  To  Beowulf  she  presented 
a  golden  cup,  telling  him  to  keep  it  in  remembrance  of  her,  to- 
gether with  a  ring  and  a  necklace  that  she  put  in  his  hand,  saying 
they  were  the  same  that  Hama  (Heime)  in  the  olden  time  stole 
from  the  Brosing  (Harlung  ?)  treasure. 

*'  Wear  them,"  she  added,  "  for  our  sakes,  but  also  for  your  own, 
that  you  may  come  whole  and  victorious  out  of  all  the  battles  you 
will  have  to  fight  during  a  long  life." 

Beowulf  thanked  the  queen  in  seemly  fashion,  and  then  the 
Lady  Walchtheov  retired. 

While  the  king  and  his  men,  and  Beowulf  and  his  friends, 
retired  to  the  royal  apartments,  beds  were  spread  in  the  hall  for 
many  warriors,  who,  no  longer  fearing  a  one-armed  Grendel,. 
had  now  flocked  to  the  palace  and  filled  it  to  overflowing. 

The  night,  however,  was  not  to  pass  as  quietly  as  was  hoped. 

III.  The  She-wolf  of  the  Sea. 

At  midnight  a  great  column  of  water  rose  in  the  midst  of  the 
sea,  and  out  of  it  came  a  gigantic  woman,  whose  face  was  as  grey- 
as  her  garments.  Her  eyes  shone  like  coals  of  fire,  her  bristly 
hair  stood  up  on  enct  and  her  long  bony  arms  were  stretched  out 
as  though  in  search  for  prey.     It  was  Grendel's  mother,  who  had 


BEOWULF.  355 


come  to  avenge  her  son.  She  came  up  out  of  the  sea,  crossed  the 
morass,  and  entered  the  great  hall  ;  there  she  slew  one  warrior 
after  another,  in  spite  of  their  resistance,  and  slaked  her  thirst 
with  their  warm  blood. 

Deep  was  the  sorrow  of  both  king  and  people  next  day  when 
they  heard  of  the  new  misery  that  had  come  upon  the  land. 
Then  Beowulf  said  that  the  cause  of  all  this  wretchedness  was 
Grendel's  mother,  and  that  she  would  never  cease  to  persecute 
the  Skioldungs  as  long  as  she  lived.  The  only  thing  to  be  done 
was  to  seek  her  out  in  her  own  place,  and  there  to  slay  her.  This 
he  was  prepared  to  do.  He  begged  Hrodgar  to  send  the  trea- 
sures that  he  and  the  queen  had  given  him  to  his  uncle  Hygelak, 
king  of  Gothland,  should  he  fall  in  his  struggle  with  the  giantess. 

The  whole  party  then  went  down  to  the  shore,  and  Beowulf, 
wading  into  the  sea,  sought  to  find  the  road  leading  to  the  mon- 
ster's dwelling.  Finding  that  it  was  a  longer  way  than  he  had 
imagined,  he  came  back  to  the  shore  and  took  leave  of  his  friends, 
who  one  and  all  entreated  him  to  give  up  the  enterprise ;  but  in 
vain. 

"  Wait  for  me  two  days  and  nights,"  he  said,  "  and  if  I  do  not 
then  return,  you  may  know  that  I  have  been  conquered  by  the 
mer-woman  ;  but  that  is  a  matter  that  is  in  the  hands  of  the  gods 
alone  in  whom  I  trust." 

Having  thus  spoken,  the  hero  tore  himself  away  from  his  weep- 
ing friends,  and  plunged  into  the  raging  sea  with  all  his  armour 
on,  and  with  Hunford's  good  sword  at  his  side. 

He  swam  a  long  way.  At  last  he  saw  a  light  deep  down  in 
the  water.  "  Her  dwelling  must  be  here,"  he  thought ;  "  may 
the  gods  have  me  in  their  keeping!"  He  dived  down,  down, 
down  to  the  bottom  of  the  sea.  Many  a  monster  of  strange 
shape  snapped  at  him  as  he  shot  past,  but  his  coat  of  mail  was 
proof  against  their  teeth.     Suddenly  he  felt  himself  caught  as 


3S6  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

though  with  hooks,  and  dragged  along  so  swiftly  that  he  could 
scarcely  breathe.  In  another  moment  he  found  himself  in  the 
crystal  hall  of  a  submarine  palace,  and  face  to  face  with  the 
antagonist  he  had  sought. 

Then  began  a  terrible  struggle.  Beowulf  and  the  giantess 
ivrestled  together  for  life  and  death.  The  walls  of  the  palace 
shook  so  that  they  threatened  to  fall.  The  two  wrestlers  fell  to 
the  ground,  Beowulf  the  undermost.  The  mer-woman  pulled  out 
a  sharp  knife  to  cut  his  throat,  but  Wieland's  armour  was  too  well 
made  to  give  way,  and  Beowulf  struggled  to  his  feet  again.  The 
giantess  then  drew  a  monstrous  sword,  so  heavy  that  few  mortal 
men  could  have  wielded  it ;  but,  before  she  could  use  it,  Beowulf 
made  an  unexpected  spring  upon  her,  and  wrenched  the  sword 
out  of  her  hand.  He  clutched  it  firmly  in  both  hands,  and, 
swinging  it  with  all  his  strength,  cut  off  the  woman's  head.  He 
felt  so  exhausted  with  his  labours  that  he  rested  awhile,  leaning 
on  his  sword.  After  a  few  minutes  he  looked  about  him,  and 
saw  Grendel  lying  dead  on  a  couch  of  sea-weed.  He  cut  off  his 
head,  meaning  to  take  it  with  him  as  a  sign  of  victory  ;  but  no 
sooner  had  he  done  so  than  the  blood  began  to  flow  from  the 
monster's  body  in  a  great  gurgling  stream,  then  it  mixed  with 
that  of  his  mother,  and  flowed  out  of  the  entrance  door  into  the 
sea.  The  blade  of  the  giantess'  sword  melted  in  it,  and  vanished 
as  completely  as  ice  in  the  rays  of  the  sun.  The  golden  hilt  of 
the  sword  and  Grendel's  head  were  the  only  booty  that  Beowulf 
brought  with  him  out  of  the  depths  of  the  sea. 

His  friends  were  collected  on  the  shore,  their  hearts  filled  with 
a  deadly  anxiety,  for  they  had  seen  the  sea  reddened  with  blood, 
and  knew  not  whose  it  was.  So  when  the  hero  appeared,  they 
received  him  with  acclamation. 

Hrodgar  and  his  people  could  find  no  words  that  would  fitly 
express  their  gratitude  to  the  hero  who  had  saved  the  land  from 


BEOWULF.  357 


two  such  foes  as  Grendel  and  his  mother  ;  and  when  Beowulf  and 
his  warriors  set  out  on  their  journey  home,  they  were  laden  with 
blessings  and  gifts  of  all  kinds. 

Hygelak  received  his  nephew  with  great  delight,  and  listened  to 
the  tale  of  his  adventures  in  speechless  amazement  and  ecstasy. 

IV.  Beowulf  is  made  King. 

Many  years  passed  away  in  peace  and  quiet.  At  last  the 
Frisians  made  a  viking  raid  on  Gothland,  burning  defenceless 
granges  and  cottages.  Before  King  Hygelak  could  reach  the 
place  of  their  depredation,  and  offer  them  battle,  they  had  taken 
to  their  ships  again,  and  were  far  away.  The  king  determined 
to  make  a  descent  upon  Friesland  and  punish  the  marauders ;  he 
would  not  listen  to  Beowulf  when  he  advised  him  to  delay  till 
better  preparations  could  be  made  for  the  onslaught 

The  Goths  landed  in  Friesland  without  opposition,  and, 
marching  into  the  country,  revenged  themselves  by  burning  many 
a  farmstead,  and  taking  many  a  castle  and  township.  Now 
the  Frisians  were  a  free  and  warlike  people,  whose  heroes  had 
played  an  honourable  part  in  the  great  Bravalla-fight ;  the  time 
had  come  for  them  to  preserve  their  homes  and  liberty,  and  they 
did  not  shun  to  make  ready  for  battle.  A  murderous  engagement 
took  place  between  them  and  their  Gothic  invaders,  in  which  the 
latter  were  defeated,  and  obliged  to  fly  to  their  ships,  terror- 
stricken  by  the  loss  of  their  king.  Beowulf  and  the  noblest  of 
the  warriors  alone  stood  their  ground,  and,  although  severely 
wounded,  did  not  join  in  the  retreat  until  they  had  rescued  and 
carried  off  Hygelak's  body.  Then  the  conquered  army  set  sail 
for  Gothland. 

Queen  Hygd  was  at  first  so  overwhelmed  with  sorrow  for  the 
loss  of  her  husband  that  she  could  give  no  thought  to  matters  of 
state;    but  after  a  time  she  roused  herself  from  her  grief,   and 


3S8  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

began  to  consider  what  was  best  for  the  nation.  It  was  well  that 
she  did  so,  for  while  she  was  still  wrapped  up  in  her  sorrow,  the 
barons  had  been  quarrelling  among  themselves,  and  creating 
much  disturbance.  The  royal  widow  therefore  called  a  meeting 
of  the  notables,  and  standing  up  before  the  assembly,  spoke  of  the 
anarchy  into  which  the  country  was  falling,  and  said  that  as  her 
son  Hardred  was  too  young  to  govern  the  kingdom,  and  preserve 
it  from  civil  or  foreign  war,  she  strongly  advised  that  Beowulf 
should  be  made  king.  The  notables  all  cheered,  and  shouted  that 
Beowulf  should  be  their  king;  but  the  hero  came  forward  and 
said  : 

"  And  do  you  really  think,  ye  men  of  Gothland,  that  I  would 
rob  the  child  of  my  uncle  and  friend  of  his  rights  and  honours  .-' 
May  the  gods,  the  avengers  of  all  evil,  preserve  me  from  such  a 
crime !  Here,"  he  cried,  lifting  young  Hardred  on  his  shield, 
and  holding  him  aloft,  "  here  is  our  king.  I  will  be  his  faithful 
guardian,  and  will  act  in  his  name  till  he  is  old  enough  and  wise 
enough  to  take  the  reins  of  government  into  his  own  hands." 

Nobody  ventured  to  remonstrate  with  Beowulf;  indeed,  they  all 
knew  that  remonstrance  would  be  in  vain.  And  so  the  matter 
was  settled. 

Years  passed  on,  and .  Beowulf  kept  his  word.  He  ruled  the 
kingdom  with  a  strong  hand,  and  with  absolute  justice  ;  and  with 
the  help  of  Queen  Hygd  educated  the  young  king  with  so  much 
wisdom,  that  when  the  sovereign  power  was  placed  in  his  hands, 
there  was  every  hope  that  he  would  use  it  for  his  people's  good. 
But  Hardred  was  not  long  to  rule  over  the  Goths.  Like  his 
former  guardian  and  teacher  Beowulf,  the  king  was  of  a  frank  and 
lionest  nature,  and  trustful  of  all  who  had  not  shown  themselves 
his  enemies.  So  when  Eanmund  and  Eadgils,  the  sons  of  Ohtere, 
king  of  Swithiod,  came  to  him  as  fugitives,  he  received  them  with 
all  kindness.      He  often  tried  to  make  them  see  that  they  had 


BEOWULF.  359 


been  wrong  in  rebelling  against  their  father,  and  offered  to 
arrange  matters  with  him  on  their  behalf.  One  day,  when  he 
was  speaking  to  them  very  earnestly  on  this  subject,  Eanmund,  a 
passionate,  hot-tempered  man,  told  him  that  he  was  too  young 
to  advise  a  tried  warrior  like  him.  Hardred  sharply  told  him  to 
remember  to  whom  he  was  speaking ;  and  Eanmund,  completely 
losing  the  little  self-control  he  ever  had,  drew  his  sword  and 
stabbed  his  royal  host  to  the  heart.  Young  Wichstan  (Weohstan) 
at  once  avenged  the  king's  murder  by  slaying  Eanmund  ;  but 
Eadgils  fled  back  to  Swithiod,  and  soon  after  succeeded  his  father 
on  the  throne. 

The  Gothic  Allthing,  the  assembly  of  all  the  free  men  of  the 
nation,  was  called  together  as  soon  as  Hardred's  murder  was 
made  known,  and  by  a  unanimous  vote  Beowulf  was  elected  king 
in  his  cousin's  stead.  He  accepted  the  office,  and  swore  to 
rule  his  people  justly. 

V.  The  Fight  with  the  Dragon. 

When  Hardred's  death  was  noised  abroad,  several  of  the  neigh- 
bouring peoples  made  raids  upon  Gothland,  but  Beowulf  kept  so 
strict  a  watch  on  the  borders  that  the  enemy  was  beaten  back  at 
all  points.  Scarcely  was  the  country  freed  from  the  attacks  of 
these  sea-wolves,  when  Eadgils,  king  of  Swithiod,  came  at  the 
head  of  a  large  army  to  avenge  his  brother's  death.  The  Goths 
and  Swedes  met,  and  fought  a  murderous  battle,  in  which  many 
men  were  slain,  and  among  them  King  Eadgils.  After  the  death 
of  their  king,  the  Swedes  retired  to  their  ships,  and  sailed  back  to 
their  own  land.  The  consequence  of  this  victory  was  a  lasting 
peace.  No  vikings  dared  attack  the  well-defended  shores  of 
Gothland,  and  but  few  quarrels  arose  among  the  nobles  to  disturb 
the  internal   peace  of  the  realm.     Beowulf  ruled  the  land  with 


36o  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

great  justice  and  wisdom.  No  one  entreating  his  help  was  ever 
sent  empty  away,  and  no  act  of  tyranny  remained  unpunished. 

Forty  years  or  more  passed  after  this  fashion.  The  hero  had 
grown  an  old  man,  and  hoped  that  the  national  peace  and  happi- 
ness would  last  as  long  as  he  lived.  But  he  was  to  be  rudely 
awakened  from  this  dream.  An  enemy  attacked  Gothland,  against 
whom  all  weapons  and  armies  were  useless.  This  was  how  it 
happened.  A  dishonest  slave,  who  feared  discovery  and  punish- 
ment at  his  master's  hands,  fled  from  home,  and  took  refuge  in  a 
wild,  rocky  place.  When  he  got  there,  he  looked  about  for  some 
cave  in  which  he  might  take  up  his  abode.  Coming  to  one,  he 
entered,  but  found  it  already  tenanted  by  an  immense  dragon, 
which  lay  stretched  on  the  ground  asleep.  Behind  it,  at  the  back 
of  the  cave,  were  treasures  of  all  sorts.  The  man  looked  greedily 
at  the  shining  mass  of  jewels  and  gold,  and  thought  in  his  heart, 
"  If  I  had  but  a  few  of  these  treasures,  I  could  buy  my  freedom, 
and  need  no  longer  fear  my  master."  This  idea  made  him  bold. 
He  slipped  softly  past  the  monster,  and  stole  a  golden  pot,  the 
knob  on  whose  lid  was  formed  of  a  shining  carbuncle.  He 
escaped  safely,  and  going  back  to  his  master,  bought  his  freedom. 
Neither  of  the  men  had  the  slightest  notion  of  the  harm  this  deed 
would  bring  down  upon  the  land. 

The  dragon,  which  had  watched  over  its  hoard  for  hundreds  of 
years,  and  knew  each  costly  thing  by  heart,  saw  at  once  that  it  had 
been  robbed.  At  nightfall  it  crept  out  of  its  hole  to  look  for 
traces  of  the  thief.  Finding  none,  it  lifted  up  its  voice  and  howled 
so  loud,  that  the  earth  shook,  at  the  same  time  flames  issued  from 
its  mouth  and  burnt  up  granges  and  homesteads  far  and  wide. 
The  men,  who  sought  to  put  out  the  fire,  fell  victims  to  its  fury, 
or  else  were  dragged  into  the  monster's  cave,  where  they  perished 
miserably.  This  happened  night  after  night ;  the  devastation  had 
no  end.     Many  brave  warriors  went  out  against  the  dragon,  and 


BEOWULF.  361 


tried  to  kill  it,  but  none  of  them  coyld  withstand  the  fiery  blasts 
with  which  the  creature  defended  itself. 

The  old  king  heard  the  story  of  these  events  with  infinite 
sorrow.  He  determined  himself  to  attack  the  monster,  and  when 
his  friends  remonstrated  with  him  on  his  rashness,  he  replied  that 
it  was  his  duty  to  defend  his  people  from  all  their  enemies,  and 
that  the  gods  would  help  him.  He  further  announced  that  he 
would  have  fought  the  dragon  unarmed,  as  he  had  done  the  mon- 
ster Grendel,  the  son  of  the  sea-witch,  but  that  he  feared  he  could 
not  make  his  way  through  the  flames  without  such  protection. 
He  therefore  had  a  shield  made  three  times  as  thick  as  usual,  and 
so  large  that  it  covered  him  completely.  This  done,  he  chose 
eleven  of  his  bravest  warriors  to  be  his  comrades  in  this  adventure, 
among  them  Wichstan,  the  man  who  avenged  King  Hardred's 
death. 

Beowulf  and  his  companions  set  out  on  their  journey,  and  in 
due  course  arrived  at  the  dragon's  cave,  out  of  which  there  flowed 
a  brook  whose  waters  were  made  boiling  hot  by  the  monster's 
fiery  breath. 

The  king  bade  his  friends  wait  a  little  way  ofl*,  until  they 
saw  whether  he  needed  their  help,  and  then  advancing  to  the 
mouth  of  the  cave,  he  called  the  dragon  to  come  forth.  The 
great  beast  came  out  at  his  call,  and  a  terrible  struggle  ensued. 
Both  combatants  were  hidden  from  view  in  a  dense  cloud  of 
smoke  and  fire.  The  rocks  trembled  and  shook  at  the  bellowing 
of  the  monster,  which  at  the  same  time  slashed  out  with  its 
tail,  whose  blows  fell  like  a  sledge-hammer  both  in  sound  and 
regularity.  For  a  moment  the  smoke  and  flames  were  blown 
aside  by  a  pufi"  of  wind,  and  Beowulfs  comrades  saw  that  the 
dragon  had  just  seized  their  king  in  its  great  jaws.  They  could 
not  bear  the  sight,  and  ten  of  them  slipped  aside  and  strove  to 
hide  behind  rocks  and  trees ;  but  the  eleveHth,  brave  Wichstan, 


362  THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 

hastened  to  help  his  master.  His  shield  was  burnt  up  in  a 
twinkling,  and  he  was  obliged  to  seek  shelter  behind  the  king. 
Both  heroes  seemed  lost  The  dragon  tore  down  Beowulf's  iron 
shield,  and  caught  him  a  second  time  in  its  great  jaws,  crushing 
him  between  its  teeth  with  such  force,  that  the  iron  rings  of 
his  coat  of  mail  cracked  like  so  much  crockery,  though  they 
had  been  forged  by  Wieland  himself.  Then  Wichstan  seized  his 
opportunity,  when  the  beast's  head  was  raised,  the  better  to 
champ  his  prey,  and  plunged  his  sword  into  the  fleshy  part  of 
its  throat  under  the  lower  jaw.  Upon  this  the  dragon  dropped 
the  king,  and  encircled  both  its  adversaries  with  its  tail,  but 
Beowulf  at  the  same  moment  made  a  lunge  at  its  open  mouth, 
driving  his  weapon  so  deep  that  the  point  came  out  at  the 
dragon's  throat.  After  that  they  soon  dispatched  the  monster, 
and  then  threw  themselves  on  a  ledge  of  rock,  panting  and 
exhausted. 

When  they  had  recovered  a  little,  the  heroes  loosened  their 
armour,  and  Wichstan  saw  that  blood  was  oozing  slowly  from 
under  the  king's  gorget.  He  wanted  to  bind  up  the  slight 
wound ;  but  Beowulf  forbade  him,  saying  that  it  would  be 
useless,  as  the  hurt  had  been  given  by  the  dragon's  tooth,  and 
the  poison  was  already  in  his  veins. 

"  I  must  die,"  he  added,  "  but  I  go  to  my  forefathers  without 
sadness,  though  I  am  the  last  of  my  race,  for  my  wife  has 
given  me  no  son  and  heir.  I  can  look  back  on  my  past  life 
with  pleasure,  for  I  have  wronged  no  man,  but  have  shown 
justice  to  all." 

He  then  asked  Wichstan  'to  fetch  him  a  drink  of  water,  and 
afterwards  to  bring  him  the  treasure  out  of  the  dragon's  cave, 
that  he  might  see,  with  his  own  eyes,  the  last  gift  he  should 
ever  make  to  his  people. 

His  commands  were  obeyed,  and  a  few  minutes  later  he  had 


BEOWULF. 


363 


passed  away  quietly  and  peacefully.  Wichstan  gazed  at  him  in 
silent  grief.  Beowulf  had  been  his  dearest  friend,  and  he  felt 
that,  with  his  death,  his  last  tie  to  life  w^as  loosed.  Meanwhile 
the  ten  warriors  had  come  out  of  their  hiding-places,  when  they 
found  that  all  danger  was  over.  On  seeing  what  had  chanced, 
they  raised  their  voices  in  mourning ;  but  Wichstan  bade  them 


BEOWULF   DYJNG. 

hold  their  peace,  or  if  they  must  weep,  at  least  to  weep  for 
their  own  cowardice,  and  not  for  the  hero  who  had  died  at  his 
post.  He  then  advised  them  to  make  the  best  of  their  way  to 
other  lands,  as  he  could  not  answer  for  their  lives  when  the 
Goths  became  aware  of  the  way  in  which  they  had  deserted  their 
king  in  his  hour  of  need. 

With  bowed  heads  and  shame-stricken  faces  the  men  turned 


364 


THE  HEGELING  LEGEND. 


away.     They  departed  out  of  Gothland,  and  sought  to  hide  their 
heads  in  countries  where  their  names  were  unknown. 

The  body  of  Beowulf  was  borne  to  its  funeral  pile  on  the 
height  called  Hronesnas,  and  there  burnt  amid  the  tears  and 
sorrow  of  a  nation.  When  the  funeral  rites  had  all  been  per- 
formed, the  great  treasure  was  taken  back  to  the  dragon's  cave. 
For  the  Goths  would  have  none  of  the  gold  their  beloved  king 
had  won  for  them  in  his  death.  So  it  still  lies  hidden  in  the 
heart  of  the  earth  as  in  the  olden  time  when  the  dragon 
guarded  it  from  mortal  keii.  If  it  is  useless  to  men,  it  is  at  all 
events  not  hurtfuL 


PART   THIRD. 
/.  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 
II.  KING  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 
III.    TANNHAUSER.     , 


CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

;  I. 

The  children  of  HAYMON. 

Haymon. 
A  F  E  and  victorious,  Karl  the 
Great  (Charlemagne),  king  of 
the  Franks,  had  returned  from  Hungary.  He  had  conquered 
the  wild  Avars,  destroyed  their  strongholds,  and  come  back  to 
Paris  with  much  booty. 

High  festival  was  being  held  in  the  royal  palace,  for  the  king 
was  busied  dividing  the  newly  conquered  country  into  counties 
and  baronies  amongst  those  of  his  warriors  whom  he  thought 
best  fitted  for  such  responsible  charge.      While   thus  employed, 

362 


368  CAROLTNGTAN  LEGENDS. 


Lord  Hug  of  Dordone  came  forward,  and  asked  the  king  if 
he  had  forgotten  the  faithful  services  rendered  him  by  Count 
Haymon  of  Dordone,  that  he  had  not  mentioned  his  appoint- 
ment to  any  of  the  new  fiefs.  Karl  at  once  replied,  that  he  had 
not  forgotten  Haymon,  but  he  considered  that  bold  warrior  had 
already  fiefs  enough  and  to  spare.  Indeed,  if  he  gave  him 
more,  it  would  only  make  him  think  himself  as  powerful  as  his 
master,  and  might  even  tempt  him  to  throw  off  his  allegiance 
to  the  Prankish  crown. 

"  He  is  a  faithful  vassal,  sire,"  answered  Hug,  "  as  true  as  a 
sword  to  its  sheath ;  but  if  he  is  given  a  lower  position  than 
meaner  men,  he  may  in  good  truth  forget  his  oath  of  allegiance, 
and  fight  for  his  rights.  Did  he  do  so,  he  would  not  lack  aid 
from  many  a  trusty  comrade." 

As  he  spoke,  the  hero  touched  his  sword  significantly.  The 
king's  wrath  was  so  roused  by  the  boldness  of  this  speech,  that 
he  drew  his  sword,  and,  next  moment,  the  good  lord's  head  was 
severed  from  his  body  at  one  blow. 

The  courtiers  drew  back  in  speechless  horror,  and  Haymon, 
who  came  in  at  that  instant,  asked  one  of  the  bystanders  what  had 
happened.  When  he  heard  the  reason  of  the  king's  murderous 
deed,  he  turned  sharp  round  upon  his  heel,  and  went  out  without 
further  word  or  greeting. 

As  soon  as  he  reached  his  own  castle,  he  gathered  his  friends 
about  him,  and  declared  war  against  his  liege  lord.  No  great 
battle  was  fought ;  but  continual  conflict  raged  between  the  con- 
tending parties,  the  country  was  laid  waste,  and  the  peasantry 
suffered  terribly.  Haymon  was  able  to  move  about  from  place  to 
place  with  such  incredible  swiftness  that  people  began  to  say  he 
rode  a  magic  horse,  gifted  with  the  speed  of  lightning,  and  the 
wit  of  man.  The  war  lasted  for  years,  till  at  last  King  Karl 
came  with  a  large  army,  and  besieged  the  castle  of  the  rebel  count. 


THE   CHILDREN  OF  HAYMON.  369 

One  morning,  when  matters  were  in  this  position,  Haymon  went 
to  the  stables  as  usual  with  a  feed  of  oats  for  his  favourite  horse  ; 
but  the  stall  was  empty,  the  good  steed  Bayard  was  gone.  Hay- 
mon was  in  despair.  He  was  just  considering  whether  it  was 
worth  while  carrying  on  such  a  hopeless  war,  when  his  cousin 
Malagis,  a  small,  insignificant-looking  man  with  a  long  beard, 
came  to  him,  and  told  him  that  he  knew  for  certain  that  the 
devil  had  carried  off  the  horse,  and  had  hidden  it  in  Mount 
Vulcanus,  which  is  near  the  mouth  of  hell.  He  further  promised 
to  go  and  fetch  it,  in  spite  of  all  difficulties.  Then,  without  wait- 
ing for  a  word  of  thanks  or  warning,  the  little  man  turned,  and 
left  the  count. 

When  he  got  outside  the  castle  gate,  Malagis  pulled  a  small  bag 
of  powdered  hellebore  from  his  pocket.  He  sprinkled  a  good  deal 
of  it  in  the  air,  and  the  wind  carried  it  over  the  besieger's  camp. 
A  general  fit  of  sneezing  suddenly  infected  the  whole  army. 
While  the  men-at-arms  were  thus  sneezing,  and  calling  out,  "  God 
bless  you ! "  to  each  other,  Malagis  quietly  walked  through  their 
lines,  and  pursued  his  journey  to  Mount  Vulcanus. 

He  reached  the  foot  of  the  great  mountain  in  safety,  and  saw 
smoke  and  flames  issuing  from  its  top.  He  at  once  went  in 
search  of  the  ruler  of  the  world  of  fire,  greeted  him  courteously, 
and  introduced  himself  as  a  great  necromancer,  who  had  come  to 
offer  his  valuable  services  to  his  Satanic  majesty.  The  devil 
answered  sarcastically,  that  he  was  accustomed  to  hear  the 
followers  of  the  black  art  vaunt  their  powers  and  wisdom,  but  as 
he  was  curious  to  see  what  the  stranger  could  really  do,  he  would 
give  him  a  chance  of  showing  off. 

You  must  know,  fellow,"  he  continued,  "that  I  have  always 
hitherto  ridden  on  the  storm-wind,  but  I  find  that  too  great  an 
exertion  now.  I  am  grown  too  old  for  that  sort  of  thing,  so  I 
looked  out  for  a  good  horse,  and  managed  to  find  one  fleet  enough 

A   A 


370  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 


to  satisfy  me.  I  therefore  took  possession  of  it,  and  brought  it 
here.  I  thought  that  I  should  now  be  able  to  ride  through  the 
world  of  men  more  at  my  ease  than  before ;  but,"  and  here  he 
sighed  deeply,  and  blue  flames  issued  from  his  month  as  he  did  so, 
"if  I  were  not  the  devil  myself,  I  should  say  that  that  horse  was 
an  incarnation  of  Satan,  he  will  not  even  let  me  mount  him.  I 
have  therefore  put  him  into  the  volcano,  hoping  to  tame  him  in 
that  manner.  I  have  kept  awake  for  months  to  look  after  this 
work  myself,  but  hitherto  without  effect.  Will  you  take  my  place 
while  I  enjoy  a  little  nap  ? " 

"  Well  spoken,  great  king,"  said  Malagis,  "  but  should  I  not  be 
able  to  watch  the  effect  on  the  horse  better  If  I  were  close  to 
it  ?  Let  me  therefore  beg  you  to  withdraw  the  fire  and  smoke  for 
a  few  minutes,  that  I  may  go  down  into  the  heart  of  the  moun- 
tain, and  enter  upon  my  duty.  Perhaps,  also,  the  horse  may  be 
more  easily  induced  to  obey,  if  he  gets  a  breath  of  fresh  air." 

Satan  consented  to  do  as  he  was  asked.  He  climbed  to  the  top 
of  the  mountain,  accompanied  by  Malagis,  and  ordered  the  spirits 
of  the  nether-world  to  hold  back  the  flames.  As  soon  as  the 
intense  heat  had  cooled  down,  the  necromancer  descended  into 
the  abyss,  and  took  up  his  position  near  the  horse.  Then,  as  if  by 
accident,  he  threw  what  looked  like  a  handful  of  ashes  up  in  the 
air.  But  jt  was  really  a  sleeping-powder.  In  another  moment 
the  prince  of  hell  was  sound  asleep,  and  snoring  so  loud  that  the 
mountain  trembled  at  the  sound,  and  ignorant  men  thought  there 
was  an  earthquake.  Malagis  now  approached  the  horse,  which 
snapped  and  kicked  at  him  viciously.  But  no  sooner  had  he 
whispered  the  word,  "  Bayard,"  than  the  creature  pricked  up  its 
cars,  and  when  he  added,  "  your  master,  Haymon,  has  need  of 
you,"  it  became  gentle  as  a  lamb,  and  allowed  him  to  lead  it  to 
the  upper-world. 

"  To  Haymon ! "  cried  Malagis,  springing  on  its  back  ;  and  the 


THE   CHILDREN  OF  HAYMON.  3^1 


horse,  neighing  for  joy,  set  off  with  the  speed  of  the  wind  over 
hill  and  dale,  heath  and  morass. 

At  the  sound  of  the  whinny,  the  prince  of  darkness  awoke  out 
of  his  sleep,  and  at  once  understood  what  had  happened.  With- 
out loss  of  time,  he  flung  himself  astride  of  a  storm-cloud,  and 
hurled  a  thunderbolt  after  the  fugitives.  But  Malagis  quietly 
said,  "Abracadabra,"  at  the  same  time  holding  up  his  crucifix. 
The  thunderbolt  fell  harmless  to  the  ground  ;  but  Lucifer  was  so 
much  startled  by  the  sight  of  the  cross  that  he  tumbled  off  his 
cloud,  and,  falling  to  the  earth,  broke  his  leg ;  and  from  that  day 
for^vard  he  has  had  a  limp  in  his  gait. 

Meanwhile  Count  Haymon  was  in  sore  distress.  He  was 
hunted  like  a  wild  beast  from  place  to  place.  His  men  were  all 
dead,  or  else  had  deserted  him.  He  was  alone  and  desolate. 
One  day,  as  he  rode  through  a  wood  on  a  wretched  broken-down 
hack,  listening  bitterly  to  the  bay  of  the  blood-hounds,  and  the 
hollo  of  the  hunters  who  pursued  him,  he  saw  a  rider  gallop  into 
the  clearing  in  front,  and  exclaimed  in  joy : 

"  Malagis,  cousin  Malagis,  and  Bayard,  faithful  Bayard  1  My 
misery  is  at  an  end  now." 

Scarcely  had  he  uttered  these  words  when  his  pursuers  were 
upon  him.  He  sprang  on  Bayard's  back,  swung  his  sword,  and 
faced  his  foes.  He  and  his  horse  fought  together,  and  but  few  of 
his  antagonists  lived  to  tell  the  tale  of  that  day's  work. 

Haymon's  evil  fortune  now  changed  to  good.  Friends  came  to 
his  aid,  and  many  castles  and  strongholds  fell  into  his  hands. 
The  paladins  of  the  great  king  avoided  giving  him  battle,  and 
the  war  seemed  as  if  it  might  go  on  for  ever.  The  proud  king 
longed  for  peace,  and  at  last  sent  ambassadors  to  his  disobedient 
vassal,  offering  to  restore  all  his  fiefs,  and  to  pay  him  four  times 
the  weight  in  gold  of  the  murdered  Hug  of  Dordone.  Count 
Roland  was  sent  at  the  head  of  the  embassy.     Haymon  received 


372  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

the  messengers  with  all  honour,  especially  his  old  friend  Roland  ; 
but  when  he  heard  the  terms  offered  by  Karl,  he  said  that  the 
king's  expiation  for  the  murder  must  be  six  times  the  weight  of 
his  victim,  and  that  he  must  further  give  his  sister  Aya  to  Hay- 
mon  in  marriage.  These  terms  were  at  first  rejected  by  the  king, 
but  afterwards  he  consented,  partly  because  the  country  needed 
peace,  and  partly,  it  was  said,  because  the  fair  princess  Aya  used 
her  influence  with  her  brother  to  that  end. 

So  peace  was  at  length  concluded.  Count  Haymon  was  re- 
stored to  his  former  rank  and  dignity,  and  was  married  to  the 
princess.  After  the  wedding,  the  newly  married  couple  retired  to 
their  castle  of  Pierlepont,  where  they  lived  for  some  time  in  love 
and  unity.  But  Haymon's  was  too  active  a  disposition  to  be  con- 
tent with  an  idle  life  for  long.  He  thirsted  for  glory,  and  to  do 
great  deeds.  So  he  crossed  over  the  Pyrenees  into  Spain,  a 
country  where  the  Christians  and  heathen  Moors  kept  up  a  con- 
stant internecine  war.  For  the  first  few  years  Count  Haymon 
used  to  return  home  from  time  to  time  to  see  his  wife  and  children, 
but  when  the  fortune  of  war  led  him  further  south,  he  stayed  away 
altogether,  and  seemed  to  have  forgotten  his  beautiful  home,  and 
all  that  it  contained. 


Reinold  and  his  Brothers. 

Countess  Aya  mourned  him  as  dead,  and  expended  all  her  love 
on  her  four  sons,  whom  she  educated  with  the  greatest  care,  and 
who  rewarded  her  for  her  pains  by  growing  up  into  wise  and 
stately  men.  Reinold,  the  youngest,  and  his  father's  image,  was 
taller  and  stronger  than  his  brothers,  and  a  better  swordsman  than 
any  one  about  Pierlepont.  He  had  inherited  much  of  his  father's 
quick  temper;  but  to  his  mother  he  was  always  gentle  and 
bidable. 


THE   CHILDREN  OF  HAYMON.  373 

The  four  lads,  Richard,  Adelhart,  Wichart,  and  Reinold  had 
already  shown  their  prowess  in  the  field,  when  a  messenger  came 
to  Pierlepont  to  say  that  Count  Haymon  was  lying  sick  at  an  inn 
at  the  foot  of  the  Pyrenean  hills,  and  near  a  place  where  hot 
mineral  springs  were  to  be  found.  He  wanted  his  wife  to  come 
and  nurse  him.  Aya  prepared  to  obey  her  husband  without  a 
moment's  delay,  and  set  out  accompanied  by  her  sons. 

On  her  arrival  at  the  inn,  she  hastened  to  embrace  her  husband, 
and  present  her  sons  to  him.  The  three  elder  lads  embraced 
their  sick  father  tenderly,  but  Reinold  hung  back. 

"  Who  is  this  broken-down  old  man  ? "  he  cried.  "  It  cannot 
be  my  father,  for  he  is  a  great  hero,  and  that  man  does  not  look 
much  of  a  warrior.     I  wonder  if  he  will  try  a  bout  with  me." 

"  Boy,"  said  Haymon,  standing  up  straight,  "  do  you  not  know 
me  for  your  father  ?  Look  at  this  ring  which  your  mother  gave 
me  years  ago,  and  at  these  scars  which  I  gained  in  battle." 

"  And,"  continued  the  countess,  "  does  not  my  love  for  him  bear 
witness  that  he  is  your  father  ?  " 

"  Yes,  mother,"  cried  Reinold,  "  I  recognise  him  now  ; "  and,  so 
saying,  he  clasped  his  father  in  his  arms,  and  squeezed  nearly  all 
the  breath  out  of  his  body. 

"  Ah,  this  one  is  my  son,  and  no  mistake,"  said  Haymon.  "  He 
was  cut  out  of  the  same  quarry." 

Aya  and  her  sons  were  anxious  to  hear  all  that  the  count  had 
done  and  seen  since  they  had  met  last,  so  Haymon  told  them  all 
that  had  befallen  him,  and  ended  by  saying  that  he  had  brought 
home  great  wealth.  This  wealth  he  intended  his  three  elder 
sons  to  divide  equally  amongst  them,  whilst  his  youngest  son  was 
to  have  his  good  sword  Flammberg  and  the  horse  Bayard,  if  he 
could  manage  to  ride  it. 

Reinold  did  not  in  the  least  doubt  his  powers  of  riding  any- 
thing, and  begged  his  father,  mother,  and  brothers  to  come  and 


374  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

see  him  mount  his  new  steed.  They  followed  the  lad  into  the 
stable.  Reinold  went  straight  up  to  Bayard,  and  seizing  the  halter 
in  one  hand,  was  about  to  mount,  when  the  horse  caught  his  coat 
between  its  teeth,  and  threw  him  on  the  ground.  The  bold 
warrior,  ashamed  of  his  fall,  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  next  moment 
was  seated  in  the  saddle.  There  was  a  fierce  struggle  for  mastery, 
which  ended  in  the  victory  of  Reinold.  After  a  wild  and  danger- 
ous ride,  when  Bayard  once  more  stood  in  its  stall,  Haymon 
went  up  to  the  noble  animal,  and  said  : 

"  Bayard,  this  is  my  son,  your  future  master." 

The  horse  seemed  to  understand,  for  it  laid  its  head  gently 
against  Reinold's  breast,  as  though  to  acknowledge  his  mastery. 

Count  Haymon  was  soon  strong  enough  to  return  to  Pierlepont 
with  his  family.  Shortly  after  his  arrival  there,  he  heard  that  the 
king,  who  had  lately  been  crowned  emperor  at  Rome,  intended 
to  confer  the  honour  of  knighthood  on  his  son  and  heir,  Prince 
Ludwig,  and  on  several  squires  of  noble  birth.  Haymon  and  his 
sons  at  once  determined  to  go  to  court  on  this  occasion. 

A  great  tournament  was  held  before  the  emperor  knighted  the 
young  men,  and  each  and  all  of  the  candidates  showed  himself 
worthy  of  the  honour  about  to  be  bestowed  on  him  ;  more 
especially  Reinold,  whose  prowess  brought  down  endless  accla- 
mations. After  the  ceremony  of  knighting  the  young  nobles  was 
over,  Ludwig  was  crowned  king,  and  named  his  father's  successor 
in  the  empire.  The  young  king's  first  act  was  to  distribute  fiefs 
to  the  new-made  knights,  save  and  except  to  the  brothers  alone  ; 
these  he  passed  over  entirely.  He  did  not  even  invite  them  to 
the  feast,  and  to  all  appearance  the  day  of  general  rejoicing  was 
to  be  a  fast  day  for  them.  Reinold  thought  it  too  bad,  so  he 
walked  into  the  royal  kitchen  and  helped  himself  to  all  he  needed 
for  himself  and  his  brothers. 

The  reason  of  this  extraordinary  conduct    on    Ludwig's    part 


THE  CHILDREN  OF  HAYMON.  375 

was  easy  to  guess.  He  was  jealous  of  the  superior  strength  and 
prowess  Reinold  had  displayed  in  the  lists  ;  above  all,  he  could 
not  forget  the  fall  he  had  met  with  at  his  hands.  He  confided 
his  dislike  of  Reinold  to  his  favourite,  Ganelon,  a  fawning 
sycophant,  and  told  him  that  he  wanted  to  rid  himself  and  the 
country  of  him  whom  he  chose  to  regard  as  his  enemy.  Ganelon 
at  once  had  a  plan  to  propose.  He  said  that  Ludwig,  who  was 
famous  for  his  skill  in  playing  chess,  should  challenge  Adelhart, 
one  of  the  brothers,  to  play  a  game  with  him,  each  player  to  stake 
his  head  to  the  other.  Reinold  would  be  sufficiently  punished,  in 
Ganelon's  eyes,  by  the  pain  his  brother's  death  would  cause  him. 
Ludwig  agreed  to  the  plan  with  alacrity.  Adelhart,  on  receiving 
the  challenge,  declined  to  play  on  such  terms,  saying  that  if  he 
won,  he  could  not  raise  his  hand  against  the  life  of  his  future  liege 
lord ;  but  Ludwig  would  not  listen  to  any  excuse,  saying  he  would 
have  him  proclaimed  a  coward  if  Jie  did  not  consent  So  the 
young  hero  gave  way,  much  against  his  will. 

A  few  minutes  later  the  two  men  were  seated  opposite  each 
other  before  a  chess-board,  while  three  of  the  courtiers,  who  had 
been  chosen  umpires,  stood  beside  the  table  and  watched  the 
players.  Five  games  were  to  be  played.  The  chess-men  on 
the  one  side  were  made  of  gold,  those  on  the  other  of  silver. 
Ludwig,  who  played  with  the  golden  chess-men,  had  the  first 
move.  The  five  stipulated  games  were  played  one  after  the  other, 
and  in  each  of  the  five,  Ludwig  was  check-mated.  The  umpires 
were  silent.  The  king  swept  the  pieces  together  impatiently,  and 
when  Adelhart  said  he  had  only  played  for  the  sake  of  his  life 
and  honour,  that  the  head  of  his  king  was  sacred  in  his  eyes, 
Ludwig  caught  up  the  chess-board  and  flung  it  in  his  face  with 
such  force  that  the  blood  flowed  from  his  mouth  and  nose,  and 
stained  his  garments. 

The   hero   instantly   rose   and   withdrew.     As   he  crossed   the 


376  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

courtyard,  his  brother  Reinold  hastened  to  meet  him,  and  asked 
what  was  the  matter.  On  learning  what  had  taken  place,  the 
younger  brother  was  very  angry.  He  gave  orders  that  all  should 
be  got  ready  for  their  departure,  and  sent  a  servant  to  tell  his 
father  and  brothers  to  come  down  to  their  horses.  Then,  turning 
to  Adelhart,  he  said  he  would  fetch  him  the  prize  he  had  won. 
Signing  to  his  brother  to  follow  him,  he  at  once  directed  his 
steps  to  the  throne-room,  where  the  emperor  was  seated  with  his 
knights  and  nobles  about  him.  Ludwig  and  the  umpires  were 
there  also.  Reinold  advanced  to  the  throne,  and  told  Karl  the 
whole  story,  asking  the  umpires  if  it  were  not  so.  Two  of  them 
were  afraid,  and  held  their  peace ;  but  the  third  boldly  avowed  the 
truth.  Reinold,  upon  this,  drew  his  sword  Flammberg,  and  with 
one  stroke  severed  Ludwig's  head  from  his  body.  Almost  before 
the  spectators  could  draw  breath,  the  brothers  had  left  the  room. 
On  reaching  the  courtyard,  they  at  once  mounted  their  horses 
and  rode  away,  accompanied  by  Haymon  and  the  rest  of  their 
party. 

They  were  pursued  on  the  instant.  The  men-at-arms  came  up 
with  them  outside  the  town  gates,  and  a  battle  ensued.  From  the 
first  there  seemed  to  be  very  little  chance  for  Count  Haymon  and 
his  sons.  They  had  but  a  few  men-at-arms  to  support  them,  and 
the  enemy's  numbers  increased  every  minute.  Their  men  were 
at  last  all  slain,  and  so  were  all  their  horses,  except  Bayard, 
which  bore  bold  Reinold  here,  there,  and  everywhere  with  equal 
speed  and  safety.  At  length,  seeing  that  further  contest  was 
useless,  Reinold  called  to  his  father  and  brothers  to  mount  behind 
him  on  Bayard.  The  three  brothers  lost  no  time  in  obeying  him 
but  Haymon  was  so  hemmed  in  by  the  press  of  people  that 
he  could  not  move.  Although  bearing  a  fourfold  burden.  Bayard 
galloped  away  as  lightly  and  easily  as  if  he  had  had  nothing  on 
his  back. 


377 


THE   CHILDREN  OF  HAYMON.  379 


Haymon  meantime  yielded  himself  prisoner  to  Bishop  Turpin, 
the  bishop  promising  that  his  life  should  be  spared.  But  the 
emperor  refused  to  be  bound  by  Turpin's  promise,  and  ordered 
that  Haymon  should  be  publicly  hung  for  the  offence  his  son  had 
committed.  The  bishop's  entreaties  were  vain.  It  was  not  until 
Roland  and  the  other  paladins  threatened  to  leave  his  service  if 
he  persisted  in  ordering  Haymon's  death,  that  the  emperor  gave 
way,  and  set  his  prisoner  free,  after  making  him  swear  to  deliver 
his  sons  into  his  hands  on  the  first  opportunity.  With  the  prospect 
of  the  gallows  before  his  eyes,  Haymon  took  the  oath  demanded 
of  him. 

Meanwhile  the  brothers  journeyed  rapidly  through  the  broad 
lands  of  France.  Nowhere  could  they  find  an  abiding-place,  for 
they  were  outlaws,  whose  life  was  forfeited  if  they  fell  into  the 
emperor's  hands.  At  length  they  came  to  Saforet,  a  Moorish 
chieftain,  with  whom  they  made  friends,  and  to  whom  they  swore 
fealty.  They  remained  with  him  three  years,  serving  him  well ; 
but  when,  at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  they  asked  for  the  pay 
he  had  promised  but  never  given,  the  Moor,  who  thought  them 
unable  to  defend  their  rights,  refused  to  listen  to  the  request.  So 
Reinold,  growing  impatient,  cut  off  his  head.  It  was  certainly  an 
effectual  way  of  ending  the  argument,  but  it  necessitated  imme- 
diate flight  on  the  part  of  the  brothers.  This  time  they  turned 
for  protection  to  Iwo,  prince  of  Tarasconia,  the  mightiest  opponent 
of  Saforet.  The  prince  received  them  with  every  mark  of  honour, 
and  with  their  help  gained  many  victories  over  his  enemies.  But 
when  he  heard  of  the  imperial  ban  under  which  they  lived,  Iwo 
called  his  council  together,  and  asked  what  was  to  be  done.  Some 
of  his  advisers  wanted  him  to  get  rid  of  the  brothers  as  quickly 
as  possible ;  while  others  said  that  it  would  be  well  to  court  the 
emperor's  favour  by  delivering  the  outlaws  into  his  hand  ;  but  the 
greater  number  were  of  opinion  that  the  best  thing  to  do  would 


38o  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

be  to  bind  the  heroes  by  some  strong  tie  to  the  princely  house. 
This  last  piece  of  advice  was  the  one  followed  by  I  wo,  who  gave 
Reinold  his  only  daughter  Clarissa  to  wife,  and  appointed  him 
and  his  brothers  a  residence  by  the  sea.  There  a  strong  fortress 
called  Montalban  was  built,  which  became  the  chief  stronghold  of 
the  principality.  On  one  occasion  the  emperor's  forces  besieged 
it  for  a  whole  year,  and  then  had  to  withdraw,  baffled. 

•Look,"  cried  Richard,  looking  down  from  the  battlements, 
"  the  imperial  eagle  flutters  away  into  the  forest  with  a  broken 
wing.  Up,  Reinold,  and  after  it,  that  we  may  send  it  home  like  a 
plucked  goose." 

"  I  have  something  else  to  do,"  answered  his  brother  thoughtfully. 
"  Seven  years  have  passed  over  our  heads  since  we  saw  our  good 
mother.  The  longing  to  see  her  again  gnaws  at  my  heart ;  I 
must  go  and  visit  her,  were  it  to  cost  me  my  life." 

His  brothers  agreed  to  go  with  him  ;  so  they  armed  themselves 
cap-a-pie,  drew  long  grey  pilgrims'  dresses  over  their  armour,  and 
set  out  for  Castle  Pierlepont.  They  got  there  safely,  and  were 
received  with  the  greatest  joy  by  their  mother,  who  could  not  do 
enough  to  show  them  how  happy  their  coming  had  made  her. 

The  chamberlain  who  had  taken  them  into  the  presence  of  the 
Countess  Aya,  soon  discovered  who  they  were,  and  determined  to 
betray  them.  He  went  at  once  to  his  lord.  Count  Haymon,  told 
him  who  the  supposed  pilgrims  were,  and  reminded  him  of  his  oath 
to  the  emperor.  Haymon  was  very  angry,  and  felt  inclined  to  slay 
the  chamberlain  there  and  then,  but  refrained.  After  taking  coun- 
sel with  himself,  he  made  up  his  mind  that  the  best  thing  he 
could  do  would  be  to  take  his  sons  prisoner,  and  march  them  off 
to  the  emperor ;  giving  them,  however,  an  opportunity  of  slipping 
away  before  they  reached  Paris.  So  he  called  his  men-at-arms  to 
follow  him,  and  went  to  his  wife's  apartments.  Aya,  seeing  them 
crossing  the  court,  would  have  hidden  her  sons,  but  they  refused  to 


THE  CHILDREN  Ot   HAYMON.  381 

hide,  and,  throwing  off  their  pilgrims'  robes,  prepared  to  defend 
their  lives  to  the  last.  Reinold's  great  strength  served  him  in  good 
stead.  He  fought  so  furiously  that  the  men-at-arms  fell  back. 
Haymon  alone  stood  firm.  Reinold  swung  his  sword,  but  his 
mother  clung  to  him,  entreating  him  to  remember  that  it  was  his 
father  who  stood  before  him.  Reinold  at  once  put  up  his  sword, 
but  disarmed  his  father,  and  took  him  prisoner. 

"The  man  that  would  have  delivered  his  own  children  up  to 
the  executioner's  axe  shall  go  to  his  friend  the  emperor  in  a  guise 
that  befits  his  knightly  character,"  said  Reinold. 

The  men-at-arms  stood  so  much  in  awe  of  the  young  man's 
prowess  and  strong  arm,  that  they  promised  implicit  obedience. 
Reinold,  therefore,  sent  one  of  them  to  fetch  an  ass.  When  it  was 
brought  he  placed  the  count  upon  it  and  bound  him  to  the  saddle. 
Then  calling  a  boy,  he  placed  the  reins  in  his  hands,  and  bade  him 
lead  the  prisoner  to  Paris.  The  count,  however,  had  not  so  far  to 
go,  after  all ;  for,  meeting  some  of  the  imperial  troops  on  the  way, 
he  was  set  at  liberty,  mounted  on  a  horse,  and  taken  back  to 
Pierlepont. 

The  brothers  were  enjoying  themselves  in  their  old  home,  when 
the  emperor's  troops  arrived  before  the  gates  of  the  castle.  Reinold 
was  alone  with  his  mother  when  the  order  to  surrender  was  given 
by  the  invaders.  The  young  man  snatched  up  his  sword,  but  his 
mother  silently  pointed  to  the  gates,  which  were  already  thrown 
open.  She  then  dressed  him  hastily  in  his  pilgrim's  robes,  and  led 
him  out  of  the  castle  by  a  secret  door.  Having  done  this,  Aya 
returned  to  seek,  and,  if  it  might  be,  save  her  other  sons ;  but 
she  found  them  prisoners  and  bound,  and  in  the  hands  of  their 
enemies.  She  wept  and  wrung  her  hands,  for  she  knew  that  she 
was  powerless  to  help  them. 

Meantime  Reinold  was  hastening  back  to  Montalban  as  quickly 
as  he  could.     He  was  determined  to  save  his  brothers,  and  knew 


382  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

that  delay  would  be  fatal.  Arrived  at  home,  he  went  straight  to  the 
stables,  where  Bayard  whinnied  with  joy  to  see  him.  After  eating 
a  few  mouthfuls  of  food  hastily,  he  mounted  his  gallant  steed  and 
started  for  Paris,  as  swiftly  as  if  his  horse  had  had  wings. 

He  halted  in  a  thick  wood  near  the  town,  dismounted,  and 
while  his  horse  grazed  beside  him,  threw  himself  down  at  the  foot 
of  a  great  tree,  and  began  to  consider  what  would  be  his  best  plan 
of  operation.  Overmastered  by  fatigue,  he  presently  fell  asleep, 
and  dreamt  that  a  necromancer  was  stealing  his  horse.  When  he 
awoke  he  looked  about  him  anxiously,  and  called  "  Bayard,"  but 
in  vain.  He  called  louder  and  louder.  No  answer  was  returned. 
He  looked  carefully  for  marks  of  his  horse's  feet,  but  found  none. 

At  the  edge  of  the  wood,  he  met  a  pilgrim,  who  spoke  to  him 
humbly.  After  some  conversation,  the  pilgrim  pushed  back  his 
hood,  and  looked  at  Reinold  with  a  smile,  and  the  young  man 
recognised  his  cousin  Malagis.  The  necromancer  then  promised 
to  restore  the  brothers  and  Bayard  safe  and  sound.  He  took 
some  yellow  powder  out  of  a  box,  and  sprinkled  it  over  himself 
and  Reinold,  at  the  same  time  muttering  his  Abracadabra,  and 
in  a  moment  they  were  changed  into  the  likeness  of  crippled 
beggars.     Together  they  limped  into  Paris. 

A  crowd  of  richly-dressed  lords  and  ladies  were  crossing  the 
bridge  over  the  Seine,  which  at  that  time  connected  the  island- 
city  with  the  mainland.  The  emperor  was  there  also,  and  beside 
him  was  the  famous  hero  Roland,  to  whom  he  had  promised  the 
horse  Bayard,  if  he  would  fight  and  conquer  the  sons  of  Haymon. 
The  horse  was  led  by  several  grooms.  All  at  once  it  stopped 
short,  whinnied,  jerked  the  reins  out  of  the  grooms'  hands,  and 
trotted  up  to  the  two  beggars,  who  were  watching  the  procession. 

*'  Bayard  is  strangely  constituted,"  cried  Count  Roland ;  "  the 
beast  seems  actually  to  like  poor  folk  better  than  noble  knights." 

"  Bayard  !     Is  this  Bayard  ?  "  asked  one  of  the  beggars.     "  Oh, 


THE  CHILDREN  OF  HAYMON.  3;^.3 

noble  gentleman,  if  this  be  Bayard,  pray  permit  my  poor  comrade 
to  mount  him.  A  holy  man  told  us  that  if  he  did  so,  he  would  at 
once  be  cured,  and,  as  you  see,  he  is  a  lamester." 

"  Well,  Cousin  Roland,"  said  the  emperor,  "  help  the  poor  fellow 
up,  that  we  may  see  a  miracle  for  once  in  our  lives.  I  only  hope 
it  will  be  a  miracle,  and  that  the  miserable  wretch's  arms  and  legs 
may  not  be  broken." 

Roland  signed  to  his  servants,  who  with  much  difficulty  hoisted 
the  ragged  lamester  into  the  saddle.  They  had  to  do  it  three 
times  before  he  was  safely  settled.  No  sooner  was  he  firmly  seated 
than  he  drew  himself  up  proudly,  touched  Bayard  with  the  heel  of 
one  of  his  wooden  shoes,  and  galloped  away  so  fast  that  no  one 
could  overtake  him.  Malagis  pretended  to  be  much  frightened 
lest  his  comrade  should  meet  with  some  injury  from  the  run- 
away horse. 

At  midnight,  a  little  man  might  have  been  seen  creeping 
along  the  streets  of  Paris,  dressed  in  a  grey  coat.  He  kept  con- 
tinually murmuring,  "  Ista,  sista,  pista,  abracadabra !  "  And  dark 
clouds  rose  and  covered  the  sky,  making  the  moon  and  stars 
grow  dim.  He  at  last  reached  a  tall,  gloomy-looking  house, 
before  which  a  guard  was  set ;  but  the  watchmen  had  bent  their 
heads  and  fallen  asleep  at  his  approach.  The  strong  oak  doors 
opened  when  he  touched  them  with  the  point  of  his  staff.  He 
entered,  and  went  straight  to  an  underground  dungeon,  where 
three  men  were  chained  to  the  wall.  He  muttered  some  mysteri- 
ous words,  and  the  chains  fell  from  off  them. 

"  Rise,  brothers,"  he  said  ;  "  your  cousin  Malagis  is  here.  He 
has  come  to  save  you." 

So  they  rose  and  followed  him. 

Before  leaving  Paris,  the  necromancer  went  to  the  sleeping 
emperor,  and  asked  him  for  the  loan  of  his  crown  and  sword 
Karl  immediately  gave  them  to  him. 


334  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

The  emperor's  feelings  next  morning  may  be  more  readily- 
imagined  than  described,  when  he  heard  of  the  events  that  had 
taken  place  during  the  night.  He  longed  more  than  ever  to  have 
his  revenge  on  the  sons  of  Haymon ;  but  could  not  see  how  to 
accomplish  his  desire. 

Cunning  Ganelon  then  said  that  he  was  sure  that  Iwo  had  his 
price,  and  might  be  induced  to  sell  the  brothers  to  the  emperor. 
Karl  tried  the  plan,  and  won  Iwo  to  his  side,  on  paying  him  a  ton's 
weight  of  gold. 

This  done,  the  faithless  traitor  went  to  Montalban,  and  said  that 
he  brought  good  news  from  Paris  ;  he  had  persuaded  the  emperor 
to  let  bygones  be  bygones,  and  all  would  now  be  well  if  the  four 
brothers  would  only  go  to  Falkalone  unarmed,  and  in  the  garb  of 
penitents,  and  there  beg  forgiveness.  The  emperor  had  promised, 
Iwo  said,  to  grant  them  a  full  pardon,  and  to  restore  them  to  their 
ancient  dignities. 

When  the  brothers  were  about  to  start  for  Falkalone,  Clarissa 
entreated  them  to  beware  lest  the  message  were  a  treacherous 
one,  adding  that  she  knew  her  father  would  sell  his  own  child 
for  gold.  Reinold  sternly  told  her  she  was  an  unnatural 
daughter,  and  bade  her  hold  her  peace.  'He  then  rode  on ;  but 
Adelhart  remained  behind  for  a  moment,  and  hid  four  swords, 
which  his  sister-in-law  handed  him,  under  the  skirts  of  his  peni- 
tent's robe. 

As  the  brothers  were  riding  on  their  asses  up  the  steep  and 
narrow  path  that  led  to  Falkalone,  they  were  set  upon  by  an 
armed  band  of  warriors.  Adelhart  divided  the  swords  with 
which  Clarissa  had  provided  him,  and  they  defended  themselves 
3o  well,  that  the  count  of  Chalons,  fearful  of  losing  more  men, 
determined  to  draw  a  cordon  round  the  place  where  the  brothers 
had  taken  their  stand,  and  starve  them  out. 

The  four  weary  men  sat  down  to  rest.     They  looked  anxiously 


THE  CHILDREN  OF  HAYMON.  38: 


all  round  to  see  whether  help  would  not  come.  The  hot  day  was 
over,  and  evening  coming  on  apace,  when  all  at  once  they  saw 
a  well-known  banner  on  the  opposite  hill.  It  was  waved  by  a 
horseman  who  was  galloping  towards  them,  accompanied  by  a 
small  band  of  armed  men.  Reinold  immediately  recognised  his 
Bayard,  and  his  cousin  the  necromancer. 

The  battle  at  once  began  in  the  plain  below.  Before  it  had 
lasted  long.  Bayard  had  caught  sight  of  its  master ;  with  a  loud 
neigh  of  pleasure  the  noble  horse  broke  through  the  enemy's 
ranks  and  galloped  up  to  Reinold.  Malagis  dismounted,  threw 
his  cousin  the  reins,  and  at  the  same  time  handed  him  his  sword 
Flammberg,  which  Clarissa  had  sent.  Reinold  flung  himself  into 
the  saddle,  and  rode  down  to  the  place  of  combat,  followed  by 
his  brothers,  who  had  in  the  meantime  caught  some  of  the 
riderless  chargers  that  were  flying  from  the  field.  The  brothers 
gained  a  glorious  victory,  and  the  count  of  Chalons  only 
succeeded  in  saving  the  remnant  of  his  forces  by  retreating  under 
cover  of  the  darkness. 

"  Who  told  the  magician  ?  Who  is  the  traitor  ? "  cried  the 
emperor,  when  he  heard  what  had  happened. 

After  many  conjectures  had  been  hazarded,  every  one  came  to 
the  conclusion  that  none  other  than  Iwo  had  betrayed  the  true 
state  of  matters  to  Malagis,  and  one  of  the  courtiers  added  that 
the  prince  of  Tarasconia  had  taken  refuge  in  the  monastery  of 
Beaurcpart.  Upon  which  the  emperor  said  grimly,  that  even  the 
walls  of  the  sanctuary  should  not  protect  him  from  his  vengeance, 
and  immediately  despatched  Roland  to  capture  Iwo,  and  see  him 
hanged. 

When  Reinold  first  returned  to  Montalban,  it  was  his  firm 
intention  to  punish  his  father-in-law's  treachery  with  death  ;  but 
Clarissa's  entreaties  prevailed,  and  he  promised  to  spare  him.  It- 
was  for  fear  of  his  vengeance  that  Iwo  had  taken  refuge  in  the 

B   3 


3S6  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

monastery.  He  never  thought  of  the  emperor  turning  against 
him.  Reinold  did  not  hide  his  satisfaction  when  he  learnt  that 
Karl  had  sent  to  take  Iwo  out  of  the  monastery,  that  he  might 
hang  him  at  Monfaucon.  But  Clarissa  was  much  troubled  in 
spirit  when  her  husband  told  her  the  news. 

"Ah,  my  baby,"  she  said,  bending  over  her  child,  "perhaps 
you  will  grow  up  to  be  a  hero  like  your  father,  and  then  people 
will  point  at  you  and  say,  '  Yes,  he  is  very  brave,  and  a  true  hero  ; 
but  still,  he  is  the  grandson  of  a  man  who  died  on  the  gallows,' 
and  then  you  will  creep  away  from  the  assembly  of  noble  men, 
and  try  to  hide  your  shame  in  the  wilderness." 

Reinold  sat  for  some  minutes  in  thoughtful  silence ;  then 
springing  to  his  feet,  he  kissed  his  wife,  and  said  : 

"  You  are  as  wise  and  good  as  one  of  God's  angels.  The 
traitor  shall  be  saved." 

He  hastened  to  the  stable,  mounted  his  horse,  and  galloped 
away  to  the  forest  of  Monfaucon.  There  he  found  Iwo  standing 
at  the  gallows  with  the  cord  round  his  neck.  Reinold  knocked 
down  one  of  the  executioners,  cut  the  cord  round  Iwo's  neck, 
exclaiming,  "Be  off,  you  rascal,  lest  you  be  hanged  after  all," 
and  then  beat  back  the  other  executioner,  who  would  have  re- 
captured the  prince  of  Tarasconia.  Count  Roland  now  came  to 
the  rescue,  but  was  soon  forced  to  measure  his  length  upon  the 
ground,  and  Reinold  rode  away,  saying,  "It  was  your  horse's 
fault,  good  cousin,  not  yours." 

Several  of  the  paladins,  who  had  witnessed  the  short  combat 
between  the  heroes,  began  to  make  jesting  remarks  about  what 
had  occurred.  Roland  had  never  been  unhorsed  before,  except 
once  or  twice  by  Oliver,  and  he  took  the  matter  grievously  to 
heart.  He  rode  away  in  silence  ;  not  to  Paris,  but  in  the  direction 
of  Montalban,  that  he  might  seek  vengeance  for  his  overthrow. 

As  he  was  riding  through  a  wood,  he  met  a  man  with  a  cross- 


THE   CHILDREN  OF  HAYMON.  387 


bow,  who  was  shooting  a  deer,  and  at  once  recognised  him  to  be 
Richard,  Reinold's  brother.  He  took  him  prisoner,  and  in  spite  of 
Richard's  remonstrances,  and  his  reminders  of  their  relationship, 
took  him  to  Paris,  and  delivered  him  to  the  emperor.  Karl  was 
delighted  at  the  lucky  chance,  at  once  condemned  Richard  to  be 
hung  at  Monfaucon,  and  asked  which  of  his  paladins  would  under- 
take the  task  of  seeing  the  sentence  carried  out.  They  all  refused, 
saying  that  hanging  was  not  a  seemly  death  for  a  knight  to  die. 
At  length  Rype,  a  new-made  knight,  offered  his  services  to  the 
emperor.  A  pious  pilgrim  who  was  present  at  the  discussion, 
begged  that  execution  might  be  delayed  until  he  had  had  time 
to  pray  for  the  weal  of  the  poor  sinner  at  St.  Denys. 

But  instead  of  going  to  St.  Denys,  the  holy  man  went  to  Mopt- 
alban,  and  told  Reinold  all  that  had  happened,  bidding  him  make 
haste  if  he  would  arrive  at  Monfaucon  in  time  to  save  Richard's 
life.  Having  said  this,  Malagis — for  the  pilgrim  was  none  other 
than  he — went  to  the  kitchen  to  ask  for  some  food,  for  he  was 
tired  and  hungry  after  his  long  and  arduous  journey  on  foot. 

Reinold,  Adelhart,  Wichart,  and  their  men  soon  reached  the 
gallows  at  Monfaucon.  There  was  no  one  there,  so  they  stretched 
themselves  out  on  the  grass  and  fell  asleep.  When  Rype  came 
with  his  prisoner,  they  were  still  asleep  ;  but  Bayard,  hearing 
them,  awoke  his  master  with  a  kick.  In  another  moment  the 
brothers  had  fallen  upon  the  imperial  troops,  whom  they  soon  put 
to  flight.  They  then  set  Richard  free,  and  hung  Rype  with  the 
same  rope  he  had  brought  for  his  prisoner. 

The  emperor,  finding  that  all  his  former  attempts  to  avenge 
his  son's  death  had  been  in  vain,  determined  on  a  new  plan  of 
action.  He  called  out  a  large  army,  and  marched  to  lay  siege 
to  Montalban. 

The  fortress  was  strictly  invested.  The  besieged  ventured  on 
making  an  occasional  sally  on  the  enemy  without  the  walls,  for 


3S8  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

the  purpose  of  getting  provisions,  etc.  Much  blood  was  shed  on 
either  side,  but  nothing  decisive  took  place.  The  siege  went  on 
for  years,  and  neither  party  gave  way.  At  length  the  garrison  of 
Montalban  began  to  feel  the  want  of  provisions,  and  Reinold  made 
up  his  mind  to  a  desperate  step.  He  broke  through  the  besiegers' 
camp  and  carried  off  a  number  of  provision  wagons.  Malagis  had 
rendered  such  action  possible  by  slipping  out  of  the  fortress  un- 
noticed and  sprinkling  some  of  his  sleeping  powder  over  part  of 
the  camp.  As  he  was  about  to  scatter  another  pinch,  he  was 
seized  by  the  collar,  and,  looking  round,  saw  that  it  was  strong 
Olivier,  one  of  the  twelve  paladins,  who  was  dragging  him  away. 
The  rough  attack  had  knocked  the  powder  out  of  the  necro- 
mancer's hand,  and  it  had  fallen  on  the  ground.  Instead  of 
laying  his  hand  on  his  sword,  the  little  man  caught  hold  of  the 
bag  of  hellebore  snuff  he  had  hidden  within  his  garment,  and 
threw  a  pinch  into  Olivier's  face.  The  hero  sneezed  and  sneezed, 
and  still  he  sneezed;  but  the  more  convulsively  he  sneezed,  the 
tighter  he  clutched  his  prisoner,  whom  he  at  length  dragged  into 
the  emperor's  presence. 

"A-chew!  your  Highness!"  he  said  and  sneezed;  "I  bring 
you — a-chevv ! — the  wicked — a-chew  ! — necromancer — a-chew  ! — do 
with  him — a-chew ! — as  you  will."  Here  such  an  agony  of 
sneezing  came  upon  poor  Olivier  that  he  could  say  no  more. 

The  emperor  thanked  and  pitied  the  worthy  paladin,  and 
ordered  that  the  magician  should  be  bound,  and  guarded  to 
Llonfaucon,  where  he  was  to  be  hanged. 

"  Sire,"  whimpered  Malagis,  "  pray  let  me  live  this  one  more 
night,  and  let  me  have  a  good  supper,  for  I  have  not  tasted  food 
for  the  last  four  and  twenty  hours." 

Meanwhile  the  paladins  and  many  other  knights  had  entered 
the  royal  tent  They  one  and  all  joined  their  entreaties  to  those 
of  the  poor  little  man.  Seeing  that  the  emperor  seemed  inclined 
to  yield.  Malagis  said  in  a  grave  and  solemn  tone, — 


MALAGIS  CARRIES   THE   SLEEPING   EMPEROR   TO   MONTALBAK. 


THE   CHILDREN  OF  HA  YMON.  391 

"  Your  Majesty,  I  swear  on  my  honour  that  I  will  not  go  away 
from  here  without  your  own  consent,  nor  will  I  go  unless  you 
bear  me  company." 

Karl  then  promised  to  let  him  have  the  twenty-four  hours' 
grace,  and  several  of  the  knights  offered  their  services  as  guards. 

The  lords  sat  down  to  supper,  and  devoted  their  whole  atten- 
tion to  the  good  food  and  wine  that  were  set  before  them,  while 
Malagis,  curled  up  in  a  corner  close  at  hand,  appeared  to  do  the 
same.  When  supper  was  over,  the  necromancer  was  taken  to  the 
place  that  was  to  serve  him  as  prison,  and  the  noble  knights,  who 
had  undertaken  to  keep  watch  and  ward,  took  up  their  places  for 
the  night. 

At  midnight  Malagis  had  recourse  to  his  knowledge  of  the 
black  art.  He  made  a  deep  magic  sleep  fall  upon  the  camp,  and 
all  within  its  bounds,  save  and  except  himself.  Then,  stepping 
softly,  he  made  his  way  to  the  emperor's  bedside,  and  dropped 
a  {q'n  drops  of  some  medicament  into  Karl's  mouth,  which  insured 
his  sleep  lasting  for  twelve  good  hours.  After  which  he  lifted 
him  up,  and  carried  him  pickaback  to  the  castle.  The  great  gate 
was  flung  open  at  the  sound  of  his  well-known  voice,  and  great 
was  the  astonishment  of  Reinold  when  he  saw  what  burden  he 
carried  on  his  shoulders. 

"  Here  is  the  pledge  of  peace,"  said  Malagis.  "  It  has  cost  me 
much  hard  work  to  bring  it  here.     See  that  my  labour  bears  fruit." 

The  emperor  was  carried  to  the  best  guest-room  the  castle 
contained,  and  the  Lady  Clarissa  did  all  that  lay  in  her  power 
for  the  comfort  of  the  great  man. 

Karl  did  not  awake  till  noon.  At  first  he  thought  he  must 
be  dreaming  when  he  saw  Reinold,  Malagis,  and  strange  servants 
about  him.  The  truth  dawned  upon  him  gradually,  and  a  bitter 
truth  it  was.  Hunger  forced  him  to  accept  the  food  Clarissa 
brought,  though  he  would  much  rather  not  have  eaten  it.     Reinold 


392  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 


tried  by  every  means  in  his  power  to  induce  the  emperor  ta 
give  up  his  plans  of  vengeance,  and  make  peace  with  him. 
But  his  efforts  were  vain.  Then  it  occurred  to  him  that  a  proud, 
haughty  nature,  that  could  not  be  bent  by  harshness,  was  often 
softened  by  kindness.  He  9et  Kaiser  Karl  at  liberty,  and  the 
emperor  went  away  from  Montalban  without  a  word  or  sign 
that  betokened  reconciliation. 

When  Reinold  re-entered  the  castle,  he  found  his  cousin  Malagis 
burning  boxes,  bags,  and  all  kinds  of  written  papers.  Much 
surprised,  he  asked  what  he  was  doing,  and  Malagis  replied  : 

"  I  am  burning  all  that  the  noble  art  of  necromancy  has  taught 
me.  I  shall  need  these  things  no  more,  for  my  services  are 
useless  to  such  a  madman  as  you.  I  am  now  going  away  into 
the  wilderness  to  join  the  holy  penitents,  there  I  shall  repent 
with  them  in  sackcloth  and  ashes." 

He  was  as  good  as  his  word,  for  he  took  his  departure  soon 
afterwards,  never  to  return. 

When  the  emperor  went  back  to  his  camp,  he  related  all  his  ad- 
ventures. The  paladins  one  and  all  entreated  him  to  make  peace 
with  the  heroic  brothers,  but  he  refused,  saying  that  his  murdered 
son's  blood  still  cried  aloud  for  vengeance.  So  the  castle  still 
remained  beleaguered,  and  fortune  seemed  to  have  deserted  the 
garrison  with  the  departure  of  the  little  necromancer.  The  store 
of  provisions  grew  less  every  day.  Hunger  stared  the  brave  men 
in  the  face.  Reinold,  after  much  consideration,  thought  of  a  way 
of  escape,  and  made  all  needful  preparations.  One  evening,  when 
darkness  had  begun  to  set  in,  he  took  leave  of  his  weeping  wife, 
and,  accompanied  by  his  brothers  and  a  small  band  of  determined 
men,  made  his  way  cautiously  and  silently  through  the  enemy's 
lines,  and  set  out  for  a  strong  castle  in  the  forest  of  Ardennes. 

Next  morning  the  emperor  was  told  what  had  happened,  and 
he   did   what   Reinold   had   expected.     He   at  once  ordered   the 


THE  CHILDREN  OF  HAYMON.  393 


siege  of  Montalban  to  be  raised,  and  started  in  pursuit  of  the 
fugitives.  He  soon  came  up  with  them,  but  they  defended  them- 
selves so  well,  and  took  such  wise  measures  to  ensure  their  safety, 
that  they  succeeded  in  reaching  the  stronghold  for  which  they 
were  bound. 

Death  of  Bayard  and  Reinold. 

The  heroes  fought  as  bravely  as  ever  in  defence  of  their  new 
place  of  refuge,  emboldened  by  the  knowledge  that  their  dear 
ones  at  Montalban  were  now  free ;  but  however  courageous  a  man 
may  be,  hunger  and  disease  are  foes  under  whose  attacks  it  is 
impossible  to  hold  out  for  ever. 

In  the  time  of  their  sorest  distress,  Aya  went  to  the  imperial 
camp,  and  entreated  her  brother  to  have  mercy  on  her  children. 
The  emperor  refused  to  listen  to  her,  and  harshly  bade  her  go 
out  of  his  presence.  But  she  returned  again  and  again  to  the 
charge,  and  at  last  Karl  said : 

"  Very  well,  listen  to  my  offer,  and  let  Reinold  accept  it  if  he 
will.  The  horse  Bayard,  that  Malagis  brought  up  out  of  hell, 
has  done  me  more  harm  than  any  other  creature,  excepting 
Reinold  himself.  Now  I  will  pardon  your  four  sons,  and  restore 
their  fiefs,  if  Reinold  will  give  the  brute  to  me,  to  be  killed  as 
I  think  best.  I  give  you  my  word  as  an  emperor  that  I  will 
accept  Bayard's  life  in  expiation  of  my  son's  death." 

When  Aya  returned  to  the  castle,  and  showed  the  parchment 
on  which  she  had  had  the  terms  of  the  proposed  treaty  written 
out  in  full,  Reinold  refused  to  give  up  his  dearest  and  most 
faithful  friend. 

"Think  of  your  wife,  your  children,  and  your  brothers— the 
gallows  at  Monfaucon  are  prepared — an  inscription  will  be  placed 
there  that  will  be  read  by  future  generations  :  *  He  gave  them  all 
up  to  die  a  shameful  death  for  the  sake  of  a  dumb  animal.' " 


394 


CAROUNGTAN  LEGENDS. 


"  Mother,"  cried  the  hero,  and  rushing  up  to  Bayard,  he  fed  his 
faithful  friend  with  a  last  piece  of  bread,  and,  bursting  into  tears, 
threw  his  arms  round  its  slender  neck.  The  horse  whinnied  softly, 
and  laid  its  head  trustingly  on  his  shoulder. 

"  I  cannot  do  it,  mother,  I  cannot  do  it,"  cried  Reinold.  "  Bay- 
ard and  I  must  live  and  die 
together." 

"  Very  well,  my  son,"  she 
said  ;  "  but  remember  that 
when  all  my  children  and 
grandchildren  are  hanging 
on  the  gallows,  your  mother's 
heart  will  break." 

"  Mother,"  he  answered, 
in  a  strange,  hollow  voice, 
"have  your  will.  You  have 
conquered,  but  I  shall  not 
survive  it." 

He  then  signed  the  treaty, 
and  Aya  returned  with  it  to 
the  imperial  camp. 

A  crowd  was  assembled 
on  the  bridge  in  Paris,  for 
the  news  had  gone  abroad 
that  the  famous  Bayard  was 
to  be  drowned.  Kaiser  Karl 
was  there  also  with  his  pa- 
ladins. 

The  noble  horse  was  led  to  the  middle  of  the  bridge,  with  iron 
weights  fastened  to  its  feet,  and  at  a  signal  was  suddenly  pushed 
over  the  edge,  and  fell  with  a  splash  into  the  Seine.  In  spite  of 
the  weights  upon  its  legs,  it  rose  to  the  surface,  once,  twice,  thrice. 


bayakds  death. 


THE   CHILDREN  OF  HAYMON.  ■^95 


"  That  horse  is  the  devil  incarnate,"  cried  the  emperor  furiously. 
"  Ha,  Count  Reinold,  beware,  its  eyes  are  fixed  on  you  ;  if  you 
are  keeping  it  alive  by  any  enchantment,  it  will  be  the  worse 
for  you.     I  will  tear  up  the  treaty." 

•  With  a  low  cry  of  terror  Aya  flung  her  arms  round  her  son, 
drawing  down  his  head,  so  that  he  did  not  see  how  Bayard  rose  a 
fourth  time,  and  then,  not  seeing  its  master's  face,  sank,  to  rise  no 
more 

The  hero  felt  that  all  his  happiness  was  gone  with  Bayard. 
He  thrust  his  mother  aside,  flung  at  the  emperor's  feet  the  letters 
patent  entitling  him  to  his  fiefs,  and  breaking  his  sword  Flamm- 
berg,  threw  it  into  the  Seine,  muttering, — 

"  Lie  there  with  my  Bayard,  and  may  God  forget  to  be  gracious 
to  me,  if  I    ever  mount  a  horse  or  draw  a  sword  again." 

Then  he  turned,  and  fl,ed  into  the  depths  of  the  wild  forest, 
until  at  last  he  sank  exhausted  on  the  ground.  There  he  re- 
mained for  two  days  and  a  night,  overwhelmed  and  mad  with 
misery. 

After  that  he  went  home  to  Montalban.  Meeting  a  pilgrim  on 
the  way,  he  gave  him  his  golden  spurs  and  all  his  ready  money 
for  his  grey  robes  and  felt  hat. 

Lady  Clarissa  wept  when  she  heard  the  end  of  the  noble  horse, 
for  she  had  loved  Bayard  ;  but  she  wept  still  more  bitterly,  when 
Reinold  took  leave  of  her  for  ever 

"Who  will  teach  our  sons,"  she  cried,  "to  be  true  knights  and 
noble  men,  if  you  go  and  leave  them  thus  ?  " 

"  Our  cousin  Count  Roland  will  do  so,"  he  answered,  "  and  you 
will  do  your  part,  dear  wife."  He  kissed  the  tears  from  her  eyes, 
and  continued  :  "  Accept  no  fief  from  Kaiser  Karl.  Go  with  our 
children  to  our  own  lands  on  the  other  side  of  the  mountains. 
The  tyrant  has  no  power  there,  for  the  lands  are  your  own.  As 
for    me,  I    am  about  to  start  on   a  pilgrimage  to  the  grave  of 


396  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

our  Lord,  to  see  whether  I  may  find  forgiveness.  You  will  never 
see  me  again." 

Saying  this,  he  tore  himself  away,  and  set  out  at  once  upon 
his  long  and  toilsome  journey. 

Reinold  went  to  the  Holy  Land,  where  he  found  a  fierce  war 
raging  between  the  Christians  and  Infidels.  He  was  true  to  his 
vow.  He  neither  mounted  a  horse,  nor  wielded  a  sword  ;  but 
still  he  fought  like  a  hero  with  an  enormous  club,  and  helped 
in  the  taking  of  Jerusalem.  After  he  had  prayed  at  the  Holy 
Sepulchre,  he  returned  to  his  native  land  ;  but  not  to  his  wife 
and  children,  nor  yet  to  his  brothers,  for  he  had  died  to  all  earthly 
ties  and  joys.  He  went  to  Cologne,  where  the  cathedral  was 
being  built.  There  he  lived  a  hard,  ascetic  life,  and  worked  as  a 
labourer  at  the  building.  He  did  not  even  stop  working  during 
the  hour  of  rest  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  although  his  wages  were 
only  a  penny  a  day.  This  conduct  aroused  the  anger  of  the 
stone-masons,  so  they  rose  in  a  body,  killed  him,  and  threw  his 
body  into  the  Rhine.  But  the  river  would  not  keep  it,  the  corpse 
floated  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  was  drawn  to  land  by 
some  pious  souls.  And  now  several  miracles  were  wrought  upon 
those  who  touched  his  body,  which  showed  that  he  had  been  a 
holy  man.  The  emperor,  hearing  of  the  wonders  that  had  taken 
place,  had  the  murderers  tried  and  executed,  and  sent  orders  that 
the  body  of  the  saint  should  be  brought  to  Aix-la-Chapelle 
(Aachen),  or  to  Paris.  No  sooner  was  the  body  laid  upon  the 
cart  which  was  to  convey  it,  than  the  vehicle  moved  of  its  own 
accord,  and  rolled  on  and  on,  no  matter  how  bad  the  roads,  till  it 
arrived  at  Dortmund  in  Westphalia,  where  it  stopped,  that  being 
the  spot  the  saint  had  evidently  chosen  as  his  last  resting-place. 
The  Reinaldi-Church  at  Dortmund  was  built  in  his  honour. 

The  Legend  gives  the  exact  date  of  the  miracle,  7th  of  January, 
811. 


II.     ROLAND. 

Siege  of  Viane   (Vienne). 

T/'AISER  KARL  had  not  been  married  very  long.  He  held 
-'-^  a  great  assembly  of  the  notables.  Count  Gerhart  appeared 
amongst  the  rest,  for  he  expected  that  this  would  be  the  time 
chosen  by  the  emperor  to  ia\cest  him  with  the  promised  fief  ol 
Viane  (Vienne  in  France),  and^-^rhaps  also  with  that  of  Burgundy. 
When  he  received  the  letters  patent  relating  to  the  first  of  these, 
he  stooped,  and,  in  fulfilment  of  ancient  custom,  would  have 
kissed  the  emperor's  foot ;  but  he  staggered,  for  the  empress  had 
stuck  out  her  foot,  which  he  involuntarily  touched  with  his  lips 
in  falling. 

"  He  must  have  drunk  too  much  Burgundy  before  he  would 
have  kissed  the  foot  of  the  Lady,  whose  rosy  mouth  he  formerly 
disdained.     Wine  teaches  humility,"  murmured  the  courtiers. 

Gerhart  sprang  to  his  feet,  his  cheeks  flushing  with  anger.  He 
waited  in  expectation  of  the  second  letter ;  but  the  emperor  told 
him  that  he  could  not  have  the  fief  of  Burgundy,  for  the  empress, 
who  was  also  the  widow  of  the  last  duke,  was  strongly  against  it 
The  count  took  his  leave  with  a  low  bow,  and  set  out  for  Vienne, 
his  heart  boiling  with  rage.  Arrived  there,  he  called  out  his 
troops,  and  sent  to  ask  his  brother,  the  mighty  lord  of  Apulia, 
for  help  against  his  sovereign.  He  knew  that  the  emperor's  heart 
would  henceforth  be  turned  against  him,  for  was  not  the  empress 

397 


398  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 


that  same  widowed  duchess  of  Burgundy  whose  proffered  love  he 
had  rejected? 

The  brothers  took  the  field  at  the  head  of  a  great  army.  Willi 
them  came  their  younger  brother  Rainier,  his  son  Olivier,  a  bold 
warrior,  and  his  daughter  Auda,  who  was  marvellously  beautiful, 
and  brave  as  one  of  the  Northern  valkyrs. 

Karl  besieged  the  stronghold  on  the  river  Rhone  where  they 
had  taken  up  their  abode.  The  place  seemed  impregnable,  for 
it  was  defended  by  brave  men,  rocks,  and  river.  Sometimes  the 
besiegers  tried  to  take  the  citadel  by  storm,  and  sometimes  part 
of  the  garrison  would  make  an  attack  on  the  enemy  beneath  the 
walls.  On  such  occasions,  Auda  would  now  and  then  accompany 
her  friends  dressed  in  full  armour,  and  would  fight  with  the  best. 
Once  when  she  had  done  so,  she  found  that  her  opponent  was 
none  other  than  strong  Roland.  He  disarmed  her  without  even 
drawing  his  sword,  and  took  her  prisoner.  Her  brother  Olivier, 
seeing  what  had  happened,  at  once  came  to  the  rescue.  While 
the  heroes  were  engaged  in  single  combat,  Auda  made  good  her 
escape,  and  took  refuge  in  the  castle,  where  she  was  soon  after- 
wards joined  by  the  rest  of  the  party.  The  siege  continued.  The 
Lady  Auda  often  stood  on  the  battlements,  and  helped  to  fling 
stones  on  the  heads  of  those  warriors  who  came  within  reach  of 
their  missiles.  One  day  Roland  came  with  the  rest,  and,  seeing 
the  maiden,  asked  her  name  and  parentage.  When  she  had  told 
him,  and  he  had  answered  by  informing  her  that  he  was  Count 
Roland,  a  nephew  of  the  emperor,  he  went  on  to  say  that  he  loved 
her,  and  would  never  cease  to  woo  her,  even  though  it  were  at 
the  cost  of  his  life.  At  this  moment  Olivier  appeared,  and  flung 
a  spear  at  him,  upon  which  Roland  challenged  him  to  single 
combat  on  an  island  in  the  Rhone. 

The  heroes  and  their  horses  were  ferried  over  the  river  to  the 
island,  and  there  they  fought.     Each  of  the  combatants  displayed 


ROLAND.  399 

the  most  heroic  valour.  At  length,  when  evening  was  drawing 
on,  a  fleecy  cloud  hovered  over  them,  and,  coming  between 
them,  forced  them  apart.  An  angel  wrapped  in  rosy  light  came 
out  of  the  cloud,  and  said  : 

"  Wherefore  do  you  fight,  Christian  against  Christian  ?  Why 
would  you  shed  a  brother's  blood  ?  I  call  upon  you  to  be  re- 
conciled in  the  name  of  the  Saviour  who  died  upon  the  cross. 
Be  of  one  heart  and  of  one  mind,  and  turn  your  arms  against 
the  adversaries  of  the  true  faith." 

The  angel  then  waved  a  palm  branch  as  a  sign  of  farewell,  and 
vanished. 

The  two  men  exchanged  a  hearty  shake  of  the  hand,  and  sat 
down  to  talk  over  matters  of  much  moment  to  both  of  them. 
Before  they  separated,  Olivier  had  promised  to  use  his  influence 
with  his  sister  in  Roland's  favour,  and  the  latter  had  given  his 
word  to  fight  no  more  against  Vienne,  and  its  defenders. 

Now  the  emperor  was  very  fond  of  hunting,  and  used  to  go  on 
many  an  expedition  into  the  neighbouring  country  in  search  of 
game.  On  one  such  occasion  he  and  his  companions  were  at- 
tacked and  hard  pressed  by  a  party  of  Viennese  under  the  leader- 
ship of  Olivier.  At  one  moment  it  seemed  as  if  Karl  must  lose 
his  life  in  the  struggle.  Olivier,  seeing  this,  protected  him  with 
his  shield.  When  the  combat  was  over,  the  emperor  and  Olivier 
had  some  talk  together,  and  the  former  was  so  touched  and  pleased 
with  the  noble  and  generous  disposition  of  the  young  man,  that 
he  not  only  promised  to  make  peace,  but  to  appoint  Olivier  one 
of  his  paladins,  to  forgive  Gerhart,  and  to  restore  the  fiefs  he 
held  under  him. 

There  was  great  joy  in  Vienne  and  all  the  neighbouring  country 
when  the  news  of  the  peace  was  spread  abroad.  Smiling  faces 
were  everywhere  to  be  seen,  and  happiest  of  all  was  perhaps  Kaiser 
Karl  himself.     A  few  days  later  a  time  was  fixed  for  the  public 


400  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

betrothal  of  Roland  and  Auda.  Great  preparations  were  made, 
and  all  was  done  to  make  the  day  a  joyful  one. 

While  the  heroes  were  sitting  at  the  feast  in  the  royal  tent, 
messengers  appeared  from  the  banks  of  the  Garonne,  who  brought 
the  sad  news  that  the  Moorish  king  Eigoland  had  come  from 
Africa  with  a  large  army  of  blacks,  had  fallen  upon  Gascony, 
and  laid  waste  the  country  with  fire  and  sword. 

"  That  is  good  news,"  said  brave  Roland,  "  for  an  angel  appeared 
to  my  comrade  Olivier  and  me,  and  told  us  to  fight  against  the 
infidel." 

"  It  is  bad  news,"  answered  the  emperor,  "  for  the  Moor  is  a 
great  warrior,  and  has  an  immense  number  of  black  devils  at 
his  back.  Listen,  noble  knights,  and  I  will  tell  you  what 
happened  years  ago.  After  the  death  of  my  father-  Pipin,  my 
step-brothers,  the  sons  of  cunning  Bertha,  drove  me  out  of  my 
inheritance.  I  found  refuge  with  the  heathen  king  Marsilio  at 
Saragossa.  With  the  help  of  brave  Diebolt,  I  regained  my 
rights,  was  crowned  king  of  the  Franks  at  Aix  (Aachen),  and 
emperor  in  Rome.  One  night  St.  James,  the  apostle,  appeared 
to  me,  and  commanded  me  to  free  his  grave,  to  which  there  was 
a  yearly  pilgrimage,  from  the  yoke  of  the  infidel.  I  obeyed 
him,  and  reduced  the  whole  country  as  far  as  Galicia,  where 
the  apostle  lies  buried.  There  I  learnt  that  Eigoland  had 
come  over  from  Africa,  and  had  already  reached  Pampeluna. 
I  marched  back  at  once,  and  met  the  Moorish  forces  near  the 
river  Ceres.  There  was  a  terrible  battle.  The  Africans  fought 
like  very  devils.  They  broke  through  our  ranks,  and  defeat 
seemed  certain.  Then  the  brave  Milo,  my  brother-in-law,  and 
your  father,  nephew  Roland,  threw  himself  upon  the  demons  at 
the  head  of  his  men.  They  fought  like  heroes,  and  defeated 
the  enemy.  But  before  the  victory  was  quite  decided,  the  noble 
Milo  fell,  wounded  to  death.      The    loss  on  both   sides  was   so 


ROLAND.  401 

great  that  either  party  retreated  on  the  morrow.  Eigoland 
returned  to  his  African  deserts  ;  but  he  seems  to  have  come 
back  at  the  head  of  a  larger  army  than  before,  and  to  have 
invaded  our  own  land.  We  must  now  fight  for  home  and  faith, 
for  on  this  crisis  will  depend  whether  Christ  or  Machmet  shall 
rule  the  Franks." 

"I  think  this  much  is  certain,"  said  Roland  :  "we  shall  con- 
quer, whether  we  live  or  die.  Was  not  my  father  victorious, 
though  he  fell  at  Pampeluna  ?  The  Lord  would  not  deny  him 
the  martyr's  crown,  when  he  passed  away  on  that  field  of  blood. 
Here,  or  there,  ye  Frankish  men,  what  does  it  matter  which  ? 
The  crown  is  ours." 

As  he  spoke,  his  eyes  shone  with  enthusiasm. 

"And  what  is  to  become  of  me,"  whispered  Auda,  "if  you 
do  not  return?" 

"  You  are  the  angel  that  shall  give  me  the  palm,  either  here 
or  there,"  he  answered  ;  and  before  the  assembled  knights  and 
ladies  he  gave  her  the  kiss  of  affiance. 

Ganelon. 

Next  day  they  marched  to  meet  the  enemy,  whom  they  saw 
when  they  had  at  length  reached  the  beautiful  land  that  is 
watered  by  the  Dordone  (Dordogne).  The  morning  after  their 
arrival,  a  terrible  battle  took  place  between  them  and  the  Moors. 
Roland,  Olivier,  Ogier,  Archbishop  Turpin,  and  the  other  paladins 
fought  like  heroes,  and  led  their  men  again  and  again  against 
the  foe.  At  night-fall,  and  not  till  then,  did  the  Moors  acknow- 
Vdge  themselves  beaten.  They  fled  to  Pampeluna,  where  they 
JDund  more  troops  that  had  just  arrived  from  Africa.  Eigoland 
and  his  men  were  impatient  to  avenge  the  defeat  they  had 
sustained,  and  they  were  sure  that  they  could  do  so,  for  they 
trusted  in  their  numbers,  their  skill,  and  their  prophet. 

c  c 


402  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

Karl  did  not  at  once  follow  the  fugitives.  He  waited  fot 
reinforcements  from  France,  and  from  Marsilio,  who,  although  a 
heathen,  had  formerly  aided  him.  He  sent  messengers  to  him ; 
but  soon  afterwards  learnt  that  the  faithless  king  had  murdered 
them,  and  had  joined  the  Moors.  Then  the  emperor  called  his 
heroes  around  him,  and,  telling  them  of  the  evil  tidings  he  had 
had,  asked  them  whether  they  advised  him  to  risk  a  battle, 
when  the  enemy's  numbers  were  so  overwhelming. 

"  L  et  us  go  forward,"  cried  brave  Roland  ;  "  before  us  lie  two 
objects,  victory  or  paradise ;  who  is  it  that  will  draw  back  ? " 

The  rest  agreed  with  him,  and  the  horns  sounded  to  battle ; 
and  a  great  battle  took  place,  in  which  many  men  were  slain 
on  either  side,  and  each  party  fought  with  a  desperate  valour. 
At  la-st  Eigoland  fell  under  the  sword  of  Roland,  and  then  the 
Moors  took  flight. 

The  emperor  reduced  the  country  to  obedience  to  his  rule. 
Saragossa  alone  held  out,  for  there  Marsilio  had  taken  up  his 
station  and  determined  to  defend  the  town  alone  until  the  arrival 
of  the  troops  his  liege  lord  Baligant,  caliph  of  Babylon,  had 
promised  to  send  to  his  aid.  Karl,  remembering  his  former 
kindness,  had  determined  to  treat  Marsilio  with  the  greatest 
forbearance.  He  therefore  sent  Ganelon,  one  of  his  paladins, 
to  offer  the  king  terms,  and  they  were  these :  Marsilio's  life 
should  be  spared  if  he  would  be  baptized,  and  become  a  vassal 
of  the  empire.  Ganelon  would  have  liked  to  decline  the  honour 
of  carrying  this  message  ;  but  he  knew  the  emperor  too  well 
to  dare  remonstrance. 

The  king  received  the  ambassador  with  all  kindness,  listened 
to  his  message  quietly,  and  begged  for  a  short  time  to  think  the 
matter  over,  and  consult  his  friends.  Meanwhile  he  led  Ganelon 
over  the  palace,  and  showed  him  all  his  treasures.  When  he 
saw  that  the  sight  of  these  things  had  had  the  desired  effect  on 


ROLAND.  403 

the  ambassador,  he  offered  him  three  baggage-horse  loads  of  gold, 
three  of  silver,  and  three  of  costly  stuffs,  if  he  would  turn  the 
emperor's  vengeance  away  from  him,  and  save  him  from  becoming 
a  Prankish  vassal.  Ganelon  promised  to  do  all  that  the  heathen 
wished  ;  nay,  for  double  the  reward,  he  even  promised  to  detain 
a  division  of  the  Prankish  army  when  the  rest  had  gone  away, 
on  the  pretext  of  guarding  the  country,  and  then  to  deliver  them 
into  Marsilio's  hands.  The  compact  was  soon  concluded,  and 
each  of  the  contracting  parties  swore  to  keep  his  share  of  the 
bargain. 

Marsilio,  who  thought  little  of  bloodshed,  did  not  hesitate  to 
hand  over  some  of  the  nobles  of  his  host  as  hostages  for  his 
good  faith,  which  therefore  was  not  doubted.  Ganelon  spoke 
strongly  of  Marsilio's  repentance  for  the  past,  and  promises  for 
the  future ;  and  then,  when  he  had  succeeded  in  turning  matters 
as  he  wished,  and  the  emperor  was  about  to  return  to  Prance 
with  his  whole  army  in  the  belief  that  he  now  possessed  a  faithful 
vassal  in  Marsilio,  went  on  to  persuade  him  to  leave  Roland 
and  the  other  paladins  behind  at  the  head  of  a  small  force  to 
watch  the  borders.  His  eloquence  carried  all  before  it,  and  what 
he  advised  was  done.  He  alone  of  all  the  paladins  returned 
to  Prance  with  the  emperor,  while  Roland  and  the  other  ten 
remained  with  six  thousand  chosen  warriors  to  guard  the  land 
from  foreign  invasion. 

At  Ronceval  (Vale  of  Thorns). 

The  heroes  spent  one  quiet  day  after  the  army  had  gone. 
On  the  second  morning,  their  outposts  came  in  to  announce 
the  approach  of  a  large  army,  so  they  got  ready  for  the  fight. 
Roland  led  his  forces  to  Ronceval,  a  narrow  pass  between  two 
high   mountains,  which   he  determined  to   defend.     The   Moors, 


404  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 


more  than  twenty  thousand  strong,  came  up  with  the  Franks 
before  they  had  reached  the  end  of  the  pass. 

"  Blow  your  horn,"  said  Olivier,  "  the  emperor  will  hear  you 
and  return,  he  cannot  have  got  very  far  yet." 

Roland  gazed  at  his  great  horn,  Olifant,  which  was  hanging 
at  his  side.  It  was  made  of  ivory  with  gold  inlaid,  and,  when 
blown  by  one  who  understood  how  to  sound  it,  would  send  its 
voice  for  miles  around. 

"  Look,  faithful  friend,"  said  the  hero,  "  I  was  given  this  horn, 
and  my  good  sword  Durindart,  by  an  angel  from  heaven.  I 
then  swore  only  to  blow  the  horn  in  case  of  utmost  need.  We 
are  not  now  in  such  a  case ;  I  think  we  are  strong  enough  to 
make  these  heathen  bite  the  dust.  Ha !  what  do  I  see  ?  Look, 
there  is  the  traitor  Marsilio !  No  doubt  the  faithless  Ganelon 
has  betrayed  us  for  much  red  gold,  but  we  will  fight  for  the  good 
cause.  Monjoie,  Saint  Denys !  Up,  soldiers  of  Christ,  let  us 
do  battle  for  our  holy  Faith ! " 

The  heroes  and  their  men  rushed  on  to  meet  the  Moorish  hosts, 
who  withstood  their  furious  onslaught  with  the  greatest  courage  ; 
but  after  a  while  fell  back,  and  fled,  pursued  by  the  Christians, 
who  slew  all  they  came  up  with. 

When  the  heroes  had  recalled  their  little  army  from  the  pursuit, 
they  made  their  men  sit  down  and  rest.  Before  they  had  sat  very 
long,  they  were  startled  by  a  shout  behind  them  of  "  Machmet ! 
Machmet ! "  and  a  great  blowing  of  trumpets  and  beating  of 
drums.  A  larger  army  than  that  which  they  had  already  put  to 
flight  was  approaching  in  their  rear.     Marsilio  was  at  its  head. 

Roland  prepared  for  battle.  He  sent  Count  Walter  to  guard  a 
wooded  height,  and  then,  accompanied  by  his  brother  Balduin, 
brave  Olivier,  the  bold  Archbishop  Turpin,  and  the  other  paladins, 
advanced  with  his  men  against  the  foe. 

The  battle  raged  with  intensest  fury  round  the  leaders.     Wild 


ROLAND.  405 

cries  and  the  clash  of  arms  filled  the  air.  At  last  Roland  flew  at 
Marsilio,  but  next  moment  his  horse  was  killed  beneath  him.  He 
sprang  to  his  feet,  and  fought  so  desperately  that  the  Moors  turned 
and  fled.  He  looked  round,  and  could  see  none  but  the  dead  or 
dying.  He  raised  his  horn  to  his  lips,  and  blew  a  mighty  blast. 
About  a  hundred  men-at-arms  appeared  in  answer  to  his  call,  then 
came  a  few  more,  and  lastly  Olivier,  Balduin,  Archbishop  Turpin, 
and  others  of  the  heroes. 

"  Your  horn  has  a  goodly  sound,  and  carries  far,  friend  Roland," 
said  Olivier  ;  "  the  emperor  must  have  heard  it,  and  will  return 
and  help  us.  It  will  be  high  time,  in  sooth  ;  for  see  how  the  wild 
Moors  assemble  in  close  order,  and  prepare  to  renew  the  attack." 

"  Up,  ye  faithful  of  the  Lord,"  cried  Roland  ;  "  close  your  ranks. 
May  Christ  preserve  us  !  " 

The  hero  mounted  an  Arab  horse  he  had  caught  a  moment 
before,  and  took  his  place  at  the  head  of  his  men.  Soon  spears 
were  hurtling  through  the  air,  and  swords  were  clashing.  Many  a 
doughty  deed  was  done  by  small  and  great  in  the  Christian  force  ; 
but  fight  as  they  might,  the  Franks  were  so  few  in  number,  that  it 
seemed  as  if  the  Moors  must  finally  prevail.  Olivier  fell  defending 
his  friend  and  bi-other-in-arms.  Roland's  sword  did  such  terrible 
execution  that  the  Moors  once  more  retreated  in  fear,  and  the  hero 
was  too  weary  to  pursue  them.  His  wounded  horse  fell  dead  be- 
neath him,  and  he,  bleeding  from  many  wounds,  and  feeling  that 
his  end  was  near,  staggered  into  a  neighbouring  gorge,  and  sank 
upon  the  ground  at  the  foot  of  a  rock.  Then,  raising  his  eyes  to 
heaven,  he  whispered, — 

"  Lord,  give  me  grace  in  Thy  sight  Receive,  if  so  be  that  Thou 
hearest  me,  this  pledge  of  my  submission  to  Thy  will." 

So  saying,  he  held  up  his  gauntlet ;  a  soft  breeze  passed  over 
his  face,  and  an  invisible  hand  took  the  gauntlet,  and  bore  it  away. 
The  hero  then  lifted  his  sword  Durindart,  and  tried  to  break  it 


4o6  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

against  the  rock,  that  it  might  not  fall  into  the  hands  of  the 
Moors.  But  the  marble  rock  was  split  by  the  blow,  while  the 
sword  remained  unharmed.  He  now  blew  his  horn  for  the  third 
time.  The  worthy  Archbishop  Turpin  limped  up  to  him,  then 
came  Balduin,  Roland's  half-brother,  his  faithful  squire  Thiedrich, 
and  bold  Walter,  who  had  defended  the  height  committed  to  his 
charge  until  all  his  men  were  slain. 

Time  passed  slowly  with  the  wounded  men.  At  last  they  heard 
the  glad  sound  of  horns  blowing,  and  the  clanking  of  armour. 
Kaiser  Karl  had  come  back  to  their  assistance.  But  before  he 
arrived,  Roland  had  gone  to  the  realms  of  eternal  peace.  His 
faithful  squire  told  the  emperor,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  that  he  had 
seen  one  of  God's  angels  come  to  receive  his  master's  soul.  Then 
he  went  on  to  tell  of  Marsilio's  faithlessness,  of  the  battles  which 
had  that  day  been  fought,  and  of  the  suspicion  they  all  felt  that 
Ganelon  had  betrayed  them  into  the  hands  of  the  Moor. 

"  You  were  right  there,"  said  the  emperor;  "  the  traitor  deceived 
me  also.  I  wanted  to  return  the  moment  I  heard  Count  Roland's 
horn,  but  Ganelon  dissuaded  me,  saying  that  my  nephew  must  only 
be  hunting." 

The  bodies  of  the  Prankish  soldiers  were  buried,  while  those  of 
the  paladins  who  had  lost  their  lives  at  Ronceval,  amongst  whom 
were  Turpin,  Roland,  Olivier,  and  Walter,  were  to  be  taken  away 
and  embalmed  for  burial  in  France.  Ganelon  was  at  the  same 
time  arrested  and  bound. 

These  things  done,  the  emperor  marched  against  the  Moors,  who 
meanwhile  had  been  reinforced  by  the  arrival  of  Caliph  Baligant 
of  Babylon  with  hosts  of  followers.  The  battle  between  the  Chris- 
tian and  Moorish  forces  lasted  two  days,  and  was  then  decided 
in  favour  of  the  Franks.  Baligant  died  on  the  field,  and  Marsilio 
at  Saragossa.     This  victory  gave  Spain  to  the  conqueror. 

The  emperor  returned  to  France.     Halt  was  made  by  the  vine- 


ROLAND,  407 

clad  banks  of  the  Dordone,  and  the  bodies  of  the  fallen  heroes 
were  interred  at  Blaive,  after  which  the  march  to  Paris  was  re- 
sumed. There  the  feast  of  victory  was  held,  and  when  it  was  over, 
Kaiser  Karl  set  out  for  Aix,  where  Ganelon  was  tried  before  a 
jury  of  twelve  of  his  peers.  He  was  sentenced  to  prove  his 
innocence  by  single  combat  against  Thiedrich,  Roland's  faithful 
squire.  As  Ganelon  was  much  weakened  by  his  imprisonment,  he 
was  allowed  to  choose  any  one  he  liked  to  act  as  proxy  for  him. 
He  chose  Pinabel,  one  of  the  most  famous  swordsmen  of  his  day; 
but  that  availed  him  nothing ;  God  fought  for  Thiedrich,  and 
Pinabel  was  overthrown.  Ganelon  was  then  sentenced  to  be  torn 
in  pieces  by  wild  horses. 

Soon  after  this,  fair  Auda  came  to  Aix  in  search  of  her  be- 
trothed. None  of  the  warriors  had  courage  to  tell  her  the  truth, 
so  they  referred  her  to  the  emperor,  and  he  told  her  with  tears 
in  his  eyes. 

"  Dead,"  she  said  ;  "  Roland  dead  !  " 

With  these  words  she  sank  lifeless  to  the  ground,  so  they  took 
her  away,  and  buried  her  beside  her  hero  in  the  vault  at  Blaive. 


III.    WILLIAM  OF  ORANGE. 


The  Inheritance. 

/"^OUNT  HENRY  of  Narbonne,  who  was  both  a  good  man 
^—^  and  a  hero,  lived  at  the  time  when  Kaiser  Karl  ruled  over 
the  Franks.  He  was  held  in  much  esteem  by  the  emperor,  because 
of  his  valorous  deeds,  and  had  received  many  fiefs  in  addition  to 
his  paternal  estates.  After  a  time  he  withdrew  to  his  own  castle, 
and,  together  with  his  wife,  occupied  himself  with  the  education  of 
his  seven  sons,  and  several  daughters.  Years  passed  on,  and  the 
sons  all  grew  up  to  man's  estate.  One  day  their  father  called 
them  to  him,  and  said  that  he  had  a  story  to  tell  them,  to  which 
they  must  listen  attentively. 

"  You  must  know,"  he  said,  "  that  once,  long  ago,  I  sank 
exhausted  on  the  field  of  battle,  worn  with  fighting,  and  covered 
with  wounds.  The  enemy  rushed  up  to  slay  me,  but  a  faithful 
squire  defended  me  at  the  risk  of  his  own  life.  Just  as  further  help 
arrived,  he  sank  severely  wounded  on  the  blooming  heather  beside 
me.  We  were  removed  from  the  field,  and  every  care  and  atten- 
tion was  lavished  on  us.  I  got  better,  but  he  grew  weaker  every 
day.  He  was  not  afraid  to  die,  but  he  was  troubled  about  the  fate 
of  his  little  son,  whom  he  would  leave  an  orphan,  for  his  wife 
had  died  some  time  before.  I  comforted  the  man  who  had  given 
his  life  for  me,  by  telling  him  that  I  would  be  a  father  to  the  boy, 
and  that  if  he  grew  up  fit  for  the  trust,  he  should  be  my  heir, 

408 


WILLIAM  OF  ORANGE.  409 


whether  I  had  children  of  my  own  or  not.  He  is  now  a  gallant 
knight  and  brave  warrior,  and  I  am  proud  to  call  him  my  pupil. 
Now,  my  sons,  tell  me,  do  you  wish  me  to  keep  my  word  to  my 
dying  preserver,  or  do  you  desire  to  share  my  estate  amongst 
you  ?  " 

Then  one  of  the  sons,  named  William,  answered  for  the  rest,  and 
said  that  they  would  all  rather  be  beggars  than  that  their  father 
should  break  his  word  to  his  faithful  squire. 

"Not  beggars,"  cried  the  Countess  Irmschart.  "All  that  I 
brought  my  husband  belongs  to  you,  and  your  father  has  already 
endowed  you  with  a  priceless  inheritance ;  namely,  his  piety, 
his  good  faith  both  to  God  and  man,  his  courage,  and  all  the 
lessons  in  knightliness  he  has  given  you.  This  is  an  inheritance 
that  cannot  be  taken  from  you." 

"Well,  my  sons,"  continued  the  count,  "you  may  go  to  the 
emperor's  court  in  the  full  certainty  that  you  will  get  on  there,  if 
you  are  true  to  the  lessons  you  have  learnt  in  your  youth." 

The  young  warriors  followed  their  father's  advice.  They  were 
well  received  by  the  emperor,  at  first  for  Count  Henry's  sake,  and 
then  for  their  own.  They  fought  against  the  Moors  when  Eigoland 
invaded  Gascony,  and  helped  to  avenge  the  death  of  the  heroes  at 
Ronceval.  After  their  return  from  Spain,  the  emperor  knighted 
the  brothers,  and  gave  them  considerable  fiefs.  William,  who  en- 
joyed the  special  favour  of  his  liege  lord,  was  made  governor  of  the 
whole  southern  coast  of  France.  He  showed  himself  a  vigilant 
warden  of  the  coast.  Wherever  any  Saracens  ventured  to  land, 
there  he  was  with  his  troopers  to  beat  them  back,  and  sometimes 
even  seized  their  ships. 

After  the  death  of  Kaiser  Karl,  surnaraed  the  Great,  his  son 
Ludwig  succeeded  him  on  the  throne.  The  first  action  of  the  new 
ruler  was  to  go  about  the  country,  and  see  in  what  condition  it 
was.     Amongst  other  places,  he  visited   the  castle  where   Count 


410  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

William  lived  with  his  youngest  sister.  Ludwig  was  so  taken  with 
the  maiden's  beauty  and  sweetness,  that  he  fell  in  love  with  her, 
and  soon  afterwards  married  her.  This  circumstance  increased 
Count  William's  influence  at  court,  and  enabled  him  to  keep  up  a 
larger  army,  and  do  what  he  otherwise  considered  necessary  for  the 
proper  defence  of  the  coast. 

Captivity  and  Deliverance. 

Peace  lasted  for  a  long  time  under  the  wise  rule  of  Count 
William,  but,  suddenly  and  unexpectedly,  the  Moors  invaded  the 
land,  under  the  lead  of  the  powerful  Emirs  Terreman  and  Balikan. 
King  Ludwig  and  Count  William  attacked  the  children  of  the 
desert,  and  strove  to  chase  them  from  the  country.  After  perform- 
ing many  feats  of  valour,  William  was  at  last  surrounded  by  the 
Moors,  and  carried  off"  a  prisoner  to  Valencia  by  the  Emir  Tibalt, 
whose  captive  he  was  by  the  fortune  of  war. 

Arrived  at  Valencia,  the  count  was  chained  up  in  a  dark  and 
dismal  dungeon,  and  placed  under  the  charge  of  the  emir's  wife, 
Arabella,  during  her  husband's  absence  on  a  plundering  expedition. 
Before  going  away,  Tibalt  told  his  wife  to  feed  the  prisoner  on 
bread  and  water,  and  forbade  her  on  any  account  to  take  off"  his 
chains.  He  added  that  he  hoped  on  his  return  to  find  him  willing 
to  embrace  the  Mahommedan  religion. 

For  some  time  Arabella  did  as  her  husband  had  desired  with  the 
strictest  punctuality,  but  after  a  time  she  became  curious  to  see 
what  the  Prankish  prisoner  was  like.  So  she  made  her  servants 
accompany  her  with  torches  to  the  cell.  She  saw  that  William  was 
a  goodly  man,  and  felt  sorry  for  him.  As  for  him,  he  never  could 
have  imagined  that  an  infidel  could  look  so  gentle  and  like  an 
angel. 

The  weeks  passed  quickly.  Arabella  tried  to  teach  the  count 
her  religion,  by  repeating  passages  of  the  Koran,  and  by  entreating 


WILLIAM  OF  ORANGE.  411 

him  to  remember  that  he  had  only  to  become  a  Mahommedan,  and 
he  would  at  once  be  free.  And  he,  on  his  side,  told  her  about 
God  and  Christ,  and  explained  to  her  the  religion  of  mercy  and 
love.  What  he  said  came  home  to  her  heart.  She  visited  him 
again  and  again,  thought  over  his  teachings  when  she  sat  quietly 
in  her  own  room,  and  at  last  confessed  that  she  wished  to  become 
a  Christian.  She  and  William  had  by  this  time  learnt  to  love  each 
other,  so  they  determined  to  fly  to  King  Ludwig. 

By  the  help  of  an  old  and  faithful  servant,  Arabella  hired  a  vessel, 
set  the  count  free,  and  went  on  board  with  him.  The  captain,  on 
learning  that  he  was  to  steer  for  the  coast  of  France,  refused  point- 
blank  to  do  so  ;  and  William,  without  an  instant's  hesitation,  flung 
him  overboard.  He  then  threatened  to  slay  the  mate  if  he  did 
not  obey  him  in  all  things,  and  he  looked  so  terrible  with  his  drawn 
sword  and  stern  face,  that  the  crew  durst  not  disobey  him. 

Meanwhile  Tibalt  returned  from  his  raid,  and  learnt  all  that  had 
occurred  from  the  captain,  who  had  swum  ashore.  He  embarked 
without  loss  of  time,  and  set  sail  in  pursuit  of  the  runaways,  but 
only  came  within  bow-shot  just  as  William  and  Arabella  landed 
and  took  refuge  in  the  citadel 

Tibalt  vainly  tried  to  take  the  place  by  storm,  and  had  at 
last  to  return  to  Valencia  without  accomplishing  the  object  of  his 
voyage. 

Ludwig  invited  Count  William  and  Arabella  to  his  court,  where 
they  were  received  with  the  utmost  kindness  by  both  him  and  his 
queen.  Every  one  admired  the  Moorish  lady's  beauty,  and  thought 
her  lovelier  than  any  one  about  the  court,  even  than  the  queen 
herself.  This  roused  the  queen's  jealousy,  and  she  began  to  treat 
both  her  brother  and  Arabella  with  marked  coldness. 

Count  William  and  his  bride  went  on  to  Avignon,  where  they 
were  married  by  Pope  Leo,  after  Arabella  had  been  received  into 
the  Christian  Church.     She  was  given  the  name  of  Gyburg  at  her 


412  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

baptism,  as  that  was  an  old  family  name  in  the  house  of  Nar- 
bonne.  Ludvvig  was  present  at  the  marriage,  but  the  queen  said 
she  was  too  busy  to  go. 

A  few  days  after  this,  William  sent  his  wife  home  to  Orange, 
while  he  accompanied  King  Ludwig  to  Italy,  with  the  object  of 
recovering  Rome  and  the  States  of  the  Church  for  the  banished 
Pope.  This  they  succeeded  in  doing  after  much  fighting ;  and 
when  Leo  was  once  more  master  of  the  imperial  city,  he  showed 
his  gratitude  to  the  Frankish  king  by  crowning  him  emperor  in 
the  room  of  his  great  father. 

When  the  coronation  feast  was  over,  the  warriors  all  returned 
home,  and  William  with  the  rest.  He  and  his  wife  lived  happily  at 
Orange,  and,  as  they  had  no  children,  William  adopted  the  son  of 
one  of  his  sisters  who  had  died  early,  and  brought  him  up  as  his 
heir.  The  boy  Vivian  (or  Vivianz)  grew  up  to  be  a  bold  youth, 
and  showed  promise  of  future  excellence. 

More  Fighting. 

As  it  happened,  Vivian  was  to  have  a  chance  of  winning  glory 
at  an  early  age.  The  Moors  invaded  France  in  hordes.  They 
swept  over  Aquitaine  in  no  time,  and  seemed  as  though  they 
would  soon  have  the  rule  in  France.  Count  William  took  leave  of 
his  wife,  and,  accompanied  by  young  Vivian  and  his  men-at-arms, 
set  out  to  meet,  and,  if  it  might  be,  drive  back  the  bold  invaders. 

The  armies  met  on  the  plain  of  Alischanz  (Alicon).  "  Mach- 
met !  Machmet ! "  was  the  cry  on  one  side,  and  "  Monjoie,  St 
Denys  !  "  on  the  other. 

The  battle  began,  and  raged  for  hours ;  young  Vivian  fought 
like  a  hero,  and  then  fell,  mortally  wounded.  His  men  avenged 
his  fall.  He  was  insensible  for  some  time,  and  when  he  came  to 
himself  again,  he  found  that  he  was  lying  on  the  battle-field  sur- 
rounded by  the  bodies  of  the  slain.      He  was  very  thirsty,    and 


WILLIAM  OF  ORANGE. 


413 


prayed  for  a  drink  of  water.  His  prayer  was  heard.  A  shining 
angel  came  down  from  heaven,  and  supported  his  tottering  steps 
to  the  side  of  a  Httle  rushing  brook,  where  he  quenched  his  raging 
thirst.  Before  finally  disappearing  from  sight,  the  angel  said, — 
"  The  good  town  of  Orange  and  kind  Gyburg  are  in  danger." 
The  young  man  fainted  again  when  he  heard  these  words.  On 
recovering  his  senses,  he  saw  his  uncle  bending  over  him,  and  had 
just  strength  enough  to  repeat  the  warning  given  him  by  the 
angel,  before  he  fell  back  dead. 


v  r/Z-'/M 


WILLIAM    OF   ORANGE   AND    HIS   DYING   NEPHEW. 


The  count  considered  what  was  to  be  done.  He  had  lost  sight 
of  his  men  in  the  wild  hand-to-hand  conflict  in  which  he  had  cut 
his  way  through  the  enemy's  ranks ;  and  then,  coming  upon  his 
nephew's  broken  shield,  he  had  followed  his  bloody  track  until  he 
found  him.  The  battle  was  now  at  an  end  ;  but  without  men  how 
could  he  save  Gyburg  and  Orange  ?  His  horse  was  so  severely 
wounded  that  he  had  to  lead  it  by  the  rein.  Without  further  loss 
of  time,  he  set  out  on  his  long  and  toilsome  walk.  At  daybreak 
he  met  a  Moorish  commander  with  several  followers.     He  was  at 


414  CAROLING/AN  LEGENDS. 

once  attacked  by  them,  but  with  the  first  blow  he  clove  the  emir  to 
the  saddle,  and  put  his  men  to  flight.  Finding  himself  alone  and 
unobserved,  he  slipped  the  emir's  dress  over  his  armour,  and, 
mounting  the  emir's  horse,  pursued  his  journey  to  Orange.  He 
made  his  way  in  safety  to  the  castle  gate,  which  opened  in  time  to 
receive  him  just  as  the  enemy  had  recognised  the  Prankish  ac- 
coutrements of  his  wounded  war-horse,  for  the  faithful  beast  had 
followed  him  all  the  way. 

The  besiegers  tried  again  and  again  to  storm  the  castle,  but  in 
vain.  At  last  they  determined  to  starve  the  garrison  out.  After  a 
time,  the  inmates  of  the  castle  suffered  so  much  from  want  of  food 
that  the  count  made  up  his  mind  to  slip  through  the  Moorish 
hosts  to  bring  back  reinforcements  and  provisions.  He  made  his 
wife  and  captains  swear  to  hold  the  fortress  at  all  hazards,  and 
then,  donning  the  garments  he  had  taken  from  the  emir,  set  out 
on  his  perilous  undertaking. 

He  made  his  way  through  the  enemy's  lines,  and  reached 
Orleans  in  safety.  There  he  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  captain  of 
the  guard,  and  ordered  to  instant  death  as  a  Moorish  infidel.  In 
vain  he  assured  the  man  that  he  was  a  Christian  and  a  Frank ;  in 
vain  he  told  him  his  name  and  rank  ;  neither  the  captain  nor  any 
one  else  would  believe  him,  and  he  was  in  great  danger  of  being 
torn  in  pieces  by  the  e:ccited  populace.  Fortunately,  at  that  mo- 
ment the  governor  of  the  town  appeared  at  the  head  of  an  armed 
force,  and,  on  seeing  William,  at  once  recognised  him  as  his  brother, 
and  took  him  away  to  his  house.  The  count  would  have  nothing 
to  eat  but  bread  and  water ;  he  could  not  feast  while  his  wife 
and  his  men  were  fasting.  Having  rested  for  an  hour  or  two,  he 
set  out  again  on  his  way  t )  court. 

Ludwig  received  him  coldly,  and  his  sister  was  still  more 
unkind.  Indeed,  the  empress  went  so  far  as  to  say,  that  for  aught 
any  one  knew,  the  Moorish  woman  might  have  sent  for  those 


WILLIAM  OF  ORANGE.  415 

Saracens ;  she  might  be  tired  of  France  and  Christianity,  and  want 
to  return  to  her  own  people.  Ludwig  showed  himself  unwilling 
to  call  out  his  troops,  saying  that  William  was  strong  enough  to 
help  himself. 

Day  after  day  passed,  and  nothing  was  done.  Meanwhile  the 
rumour  spread  that  the  count  of  Orange  had  come  to  court  to 
ask  for  help  against  the  Moors  ;  and  the  aged  count  of  Narbonne, 
his  six  sons,  and  many  noble  knights  came  to  offer  their  help  in 
the  good  work.  When  they  heard  how  ill  William  had  fared  at 
court,  the  lord  of  Narbonne  went  to  the  emperor,  and  warned 
him  that  if  he  did  not  support  his  vassals  in  their  need,  he  must 
not  be  surprised  if  they  threw  off  his  suzerainty.  Then,  turning 
to  his  daughter,  he  told  her  plainly  what  he  thought  of  her 
conduct,  and  threatened  her  with  his  curse  if  she  did  not  forget 
her  foolish  rancour  and  do  her  duty.  This  bold  speaking  had 
such  good  effect,  that  orders  were  at  once  given  to  call  out  a  great 
army,  which  assembled  in  an  incredibly  short  time. 

On  hearing  of  the  approach  of  a  Frankish  host,  the  Moors 
hastened  to  their  ships,  leaving  their  tents  and  provisions  behind. 
These  William  gladly  seized  for  the  use  of  the  imperial  troops. 
Life  and  bustle  now  reigned  in  the  castle  from  garret  to  cellar, 
■^nd  the  cooks  had  hard  work  to  provide  food  for  so  many  men. 
Among  the  scullions  was  a  tall  strong  young  fellow,  a  Moor  by 
birth,  who  had  been  stolen  from  his  home,  and  presented  by  his 
captors  to  Kaiser  Ludwig.  William  thought  from  his  appearance 
that  he  must  be  of  noble  birth,  but  every  one  else  regarded  him  as 
half-witted,  and  called  him  nothing  but  Jack  Dunderhead.  While 
he  was  at  the  palace,  he  had  once  had  the  good  fortune  to  save 
the  Princess  Alice  from  a  wolf  The  only  reward  he  asked  of 
her  was  that  she  would  keep  the  adventure  a  secret.  This  she 
did.  But  when  he  was  going  to  the  wars  with  the  other  officers 
of  the  royal  kitchen,  she  sought  him  out  and  gave  him  a  ring  as 


4i6  CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 

a  farewell  gift.  After  his  arrival  at  Orange,  William's  attention 
was  drawn  to  him ;  and  seeing  the  heroic  qualities  of  the  youth, 
and  the  masterly  fashion  in  which  he  handled  his  quarter-staff,  the 
only  weapon  he  possessed,  he  redeemed  him  from  servitude,  took 
him  to  the  Lady  Gyburg,  and  desired  her  to  provide  him  with 
coat  of  mail  and  all  the  requisites  of  a  warrior.  Rennewart,  for 
that  was  his  real  name,  was  so  grateful  for  this  kindness  that  he 
swore  to  be  faithful  to  William  to  the  death.  And,  as  he  turned 
to  leave  the  room,  the  countess  heard  him  say,  in  a  low  voice  : 

"  Now,  at  length,  I  can  show  that  I  am  of  royal  lineage,  and 
may  strive  to  win  my  pearl.  Ah,  father  Terramer,  while  you 
have  forgotten  your  long-lost  son,  he  has  become  a  Frank,  and 
is  both  able  and  willing  to  fight  for  his  new  and  better  country." 

These  words  revealed  to  Gyburg  that  Rennewart  was  her  own 
brother,  so  she  called  him  back  hastily  and  told  him  all.  After 
this  joyful  recognition,  he  went  out  in  full  armour,  but  still 
bearing  the  long  staff  he  had  always  carried  for  his  defence.  He 
joined  the  rest  of  the  forces  and  marched  with  them  to  fight  the 
Moors,  who  were  awaiting  them  on  the  shore. 

The  battle  began,  and  Rennewart  showed  himself  so  good  a 
warrior  as  to  justify  Count  William's  trust  to  the  full.  He  even 
attacked  and  boarded  some  of  the  Moorish  ships,  freed  the 
Christian  slaves  who  were  attached  to  the  oars,  and,  getting  them 
to  join  him,  drove  the  Moors  overboard,  and,  taking  several  of  high 
degree  prisoners,  returned  to  the  castle. 

Among  the  prisoners  taken  was  the  Moorish  commander  Ter- 
ramer. Badly  wounded,  and  broken-hearted  at  his  utter  defeat, 
he  was  astonished  at  the  kindness  with  which  he  was  tended  by 
William  and  Gyburg,  to  whom  he  had  tried  to  do  so  much  harm. 
But  he  soon  made  friends  with  them,  and  was  then  rejoiced  to 
see  the  son  he  had  long  mourned  as  dead. 

A  few  days  later  William  and  Gyburg  went  with  the  victorious 


WILLIAM  OF  ORANGE.  417 

army  to  where  Ludvvig  was  staying  with  the  court.  They  met 
with  a  hearty  reception,  and  the  count  of  Orange  was  created 
duke  of  Aquitaine,  while  Rennewart  was  given  the  town  and 
district  of  Nismes.  The  emperor  then  rewarded  all  the  other 
leaders  for  their  services,  and  gave  a  great  feast  to  the  men-at- 
arms,  and  a  banquet  to  the  nobles. 

While  the  heroes  were  enjoying  the  good  things  provided  for 
their  entertainment,  the  empress  noticed  that  the  young  hero 
Rennewart  sat  silent  and  absorbed,  till  her  daughter  Alise  ap' 
proached  to  fill  his  glass  ;  then  his  eyes  rested  joyfully  on  her 
countenance,  the  royal  maiden  blushed,  and  her  hand  trembled 
so,  that  the  wine  ran  over.  She  wondered  where  they  could  have 
met  before,  and  took  the  first  opportunity  of  questioning  her 
sister-in-law.  The  Countess  Gyburg  told  her  brother's  story,  and 
informed  the  empress  that  Rennewart  and  Alise  had  loved  each 
other  ever  since  the  day  when  the  prince,  in  the  guise  of  a  scullion, 
saved  the  princess's  life.  A  few  days  afterwards  the  young  people 
were  betrothed,  and  on  the  very  day  of  their  betrothal  messengers 
arrived  bringing  rich  presents  from  the  Emir  Terramer  to  his 
son. 

William,  who  was  now  duke  of  Aquitaine  and  count  of  Orange, 
governed  his  people  wisely  and  justly.  He  preserved  them  from 
dangers  without  and  within,  and  listened  to  all  petitioners  of 
whatever  rank  with  equal  kindness.  The  Lady  Gyburg  helped 
him  in  all  ways  that  a  woman  might.  Together  they  founded 
churches  and  alms-houses,  and  the  blessing  of  God  was  with  them. 
When  they  were  both  stricken  in  years,  an  angel  one  night 
appeared  to  the  count  in  a  dream,  and,  showing  him  a  desert 
place  high  up  in  the  mountains,  desired  him  to  build  there  a 
religious  house,  where  pious  monks  might  live,  and  give  shelter 
to  any  travellers  who  had  lost  their  way,  and  might  even  seek  out 
belated  wanderers  lost  in  the  snow,  and  save  them  from  a  dreadful 

D  D 


4i8 


CAROLINGIAN  LEGENDS. 


death.  Next  day  the  pious  hero  set  out  in  search  of  the  place  the 
angel  had  pointed  out,  and,  having  found  it,  built  the  monastery. 
He  and  his  wife  lived  on  together  for  several  years  after  this,  doing 
good  to  all  ;  then  they  withdrew  into  solitary  cells  to  prepare 
for  eternity.  After  their  death  so  many  signs  and  wonders  were 
wrought  at  their  graves,  that  the  people  believed  they  must  have 
died  samts. 


LEGENDS  OF  KING  ARTHUR 
AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

I.  TITUREL. 

His  Call  to  the  Grail. 

A  T  the  time  when  the  bold  hero  Vespasian  was  called  away 
■^  ^  from  the  siege  of  Jerusalem,  to  be  made  emperor  of  Rome, 
a  rich  man  of  Cappadocia,  named  Parille,  or  as  the  Romans  called 
him,  Berillus,  followed  in  his  train.  He  was  brave  in  war,  and  wise 
of  counsel  in  times  of  peace,  so  the  emperor  gave  him  large  estates 
in  Gaul.  His  virtues  were  inherited  by  his  sons,  grandsons,  and 
later  descendants.  One  of  these,  Titurisone,  married  a  noble 
maiden,  named  Elizabel,  but  they  had  no  children.     The  knight 


420  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

was  much  distressed  at  the  thought  that  a  noble  and  chivalrous 
race  should  end  in  him.  Once,  when  he  was  quite  elderly,  a  sooth- 
sayer came  to  the  castle,  and  asked  for  a  night's  lodging,  which 
was  as  usual  granted.  That  evening,  when  he  was  sitting  alone 
witn  his  guest,  the  knight  began  to  discourse"  of  the  sorrow  of  his 
lite,  and  the  stranger  told  him  that  he  ought  to  make  a  pilgrimage 
Ic  the  church  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre,  and  lay  a  crucifix  of  pure  gold 
on  the  altar.  Titurisone  followed  the  wise  man's  advice,  and  he 
and  his  wife  had  the  pleasure  of  having  a  son  born  to  them.  As 
the  boy  grew  up,  he  showed  rare  gifts  of  mind,  great  piety,  and 
unusual  strength.  He  had  received  the  name  of  Titurel  at  his 
baptism,  a  name  that  soon  became  known  throughout  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  land. 

When  the  boy  grew  to  man's  estate,  he  went  with  his  father  to 
fight  against  the  heathen.  He  showed  such  marvellous  prowess, 
that  his  father  began  to  praise  him,  and  prophesy  great  things  for 
his  future ;  but  the  lad  modestly  said  that  he  had  only  done  "his 
duty  like  others. 

When  the  victorious  army  returned  home,  Titurel  was  not  to 
be  tempted  to  remain  at  court,  but  hastened  away  to  his  native 
place.  Arrived  there,  he  did  not  go  first  in  search  of  his  mother, 
but  made  his  way  to  the  chapel,  dressed  in  the  robes  of  a  penitent. 
He  approached  the  altar  bare-foot,  and  presented  the  booty  he 
had  brought  from  the  war.  Having  prayed  for  God's  blessing  on 
all  his  undertakings,  he  rose  from  his  knees,  and,  going  into  the 
castle,  hastened  to  embrace  his  mother. 

Titurel  sometimes  took  part  in  the  crusade  against  the  Saracens. 
His  gallant  deeds  were  so  numerous  that  they  became  noised 
abroad,  and  his  name  was  held  in  honour  by  Christians  and  infidels 
alike. 

Many  years  passed  on.  Titurisone  and  his  wife  both  died, 
leaving  a  large  inheritance  to  their  only  son.     The  change  in  his 


TirUREL.  42  T 

outward  fortunes  made  no  difference  in  Titurel — he  remained  as 
humble  in  the  sight  of  God  and  man  as  before  ;  he  had  more 
to  give  away  to  the  poor  and  needy,  that  was  the  only  use  of 
wealth  in  his  eyes. 

One  beautiful  spring  morning  he  went  out  to  walk  in  the  wood. 
Coming  to  a  soft  mossy  bank,  he  seated  himself,  and  looked  about 
him.  Flowers  filled  the  air  with  their  perfume,  birds  were  singing 
in  the  trees,  and  a  gentle  breeze  whispered  among  the  fresh  green 
leaves.  He  felt  full  of  peace  and  joy ;  it  almost  seemed  to  him 
as  though  God  were  speaking  to  him  in  the  songs  of  the  birds, 
the  rustle  of  the  foliage,  and  the  murmur  of  the  brook.  The  sky 
was  blue,  one  soft  ?iQ.&Q.y  cloud  alone  was  visible.  He  was  sur- 
prised to  see  it  coming  as  if  towards  him  with  extraordinary  speed, 
and  yet  it  was  not  driven  by  the  wind.  At  last  it  sank  to  the 
earth  before  him,  and  out  of  it  came  an  angel,  who  spoke  to 
the  hero  in  a  deep  melodious  voice  like  the  sound  of  the  organ 
in  church, 

"  Hail,  chosen  hero  of  the  Most  High !  The  Lord  hath  called 
thee  to  guard  the  holy  Grail  on  His  mountain,  Montsalvatch. 
Set  thy  house  in  order,  and  obey  the  voice  of  God." 

The  angel  stepped  back,  the  cloud  closed  round  him  like  a  silver 
veil,  and  he  floated  away  to  heaven. 

Titurel  went  home  m  a  state  of  ecstasy.  He  divided  his  wealth 
among  his  servants  and  those  who  had  most  need  of  it,  after  which 
he  returned  fully  armed  to  the  place  where  the  angel  had  appeared 
to  him.  Once  more  he  saw  the  cloud  in  the  sky,  and  this  time 
it  was  fringed  with  the  gold  of  sunshine.  It  went  before  him, 
showing  him  the  way  to  the  goal  of  his  pilgrimage.  He  went  on 
and  on  through  vast  solitudes.  At  length  he  came  to  a  deep  dark 
wood,  and  after  that  to  a  mountain,  the  sides  of  which  seemed  too 
steep  to  climb.  But  the  cloud  preceded  him,  and  he  followed, 
dragging   himself  up   precipitous  rocks,  past  great  abysses  that 


422  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL, 

made  him  dizzy  to  look  into,  and  through  thickets  of  thorn. 
Often  he  felt  so  weary  he  could  hardly  drag  one  foot  after  the 
other,  and  was  tempted  to  despair  of  ever  reaching  the  top.  But 
a  voice  seemed  to  speak  to  him  encouragingly  at  such  moments 
of  weakness,  and  he  found  strength  to  struggle  on.  At  length  he 
reached  the  top  of  the  mountain.  He  saw  a  bright  light  before 
him,  it  was  the  Sangreal  borne  in  the  air  by  invisible  hands. 
Beneath  it  knelt  a  number  of  knights  in  shining  armour.  Seeing 
him,  they  rose  to  their  feet,  and  cried, — 

"Hail  to  thee,  chosen  hero>  called  to  be  guardian  of  the  holy 
Grail ! " 

He  did  not  answer,  his  eyes  were  fixed  on  the  sacred  vessel, 
which  was  like  a  cup  of  emerald-coloured  jasper,  encircled  by 
a  stand  of  chased  gold.  Lost  in  the  wondrous  sight,  he  prayed 
for  strength  to  guard  what  was  put  under  his  charge. 

And  in  good  truth  Titurel  was  worthy  of  his  high  calling.  He, 
with  the  help  of  the  other  knights  under  his  command,  prevented 
any  infidels  from  approaching  the  holy  mountain.  Many  years 
passed  away,  and  the  vessel  never  came  down  to  earth.  So 
Titurel  determined  to  build  a  castle  and  temple  on  the  mountain- 
top  worthy  to  hold  and  protect  the  Sangreal. 

Building  of  the  Temple. 

When  the  grass,  ferns,  and  stones  were  cleared  away,  it  was 
discovered  that  the  rock,  or  core  of  the  mountain,  was  one  entire 
onyx  of  enormous  size.  This  was  flattened  into  a  flooring,  and 
polished  with  great  care ;  and  upon  it  the  castle  was  built.  Now 
came  the  more  important  task  of  rearing  the  temple,  but  they  were 
in  doubt  as  to  the  plan  and  shape  that  would  be  most  fitting. 

One  morning  when  Titurel  awoke,  he  prayed  that  he  might  be 
enlightened  to  know  how  to  build  the  church,  and  when  he  went 


TITUREL. 


423 


out  he  saw  the  entire  ground-plan  clearly  marked  out  on  the 
rock-foundation,  and  all  the  miraculous  materials  that  were  wanted, 
ready  piled  up  in  huge  stacks.  So  the  knights  worked  hard  all 
day  long,  and  the  invisible  powers  worked  all  night.  It  was 
wonderful  how  quickly  the  walls  rose,  and  the  church  was  finished. 
It  was  circular  in  form,  and  had  seventy-two  octagon  choirs,  every 
two  of  which  supported  a  belfry.  In  the  midst  rose  a  tower  with 
many  windows,  and  openings  with  pointed  arches.  The  topmost 
point  of  the  tower  was  a  ruby,  out  of  which  rose  a  cross  of  clear 
crystal  surmounted  by  a  golden  eagle  with  outstretched  wings. 
Within  the  building,  sculptured  vines,  roses,  and  lilies  twined  about 
the  pillars,  forming  bowers,  on  whose  branches  birds  seemed  to 
flutter  as  if  alive.  At  every  intersection  of  the  arches  was  a  glow- 
ing carbuncle  that  turned  night  into  day ;  and  the  vaulted  roof 
was  of  blue  sapphire,  in  which  a  miracle  of  art  was  to  be  seen.  The 
sun,  moon,  and  stars  placed  there  by  the  builders,  moved  in  the 
same  order  as  the  real  luminaries  in  the  heavens. 

In  the  wide  inner  space  of  the  great  temple  a  second  and 
smaller  sanctuary  was  built,  resembling  the  first,  but  far  more 
beautiful.  This  was  the  place  intended  for  the  Sangreal,  should 
it  come  down  to  earth. 

And  now  the  work  was  finished.  The  hour  of  consecration  had 
come.  The  bells  rang.  The  priests  began  to  chant  the  hymn, 
and  a  chorus  of  angels  joined  in :  "  Glory  to  God  on  high,  peace 
on  earth,  good  will  to  men."  At  the  same  moment  a  sweet  per- 
fume filled  the  air,  the  sacred  vessel  descended  and  floated  over 
the  altar  in  the  inner  sanctuary.  A  deep  and  solemn  silence 
reigned  in  the  mighty  building.  Then  the  invisible  choir  began 
to  sing  :  "  The  glory  of  the  Lord  has  arisen  in  Zion  !  Praise  Him, 
ye  faithful,  and  make  known  His  holy  name."  The  priest  spoke 
the  blessing,  and  the  consecration  was  complete.  Titurel  did  not 
move  for  some  time  after  the  others  had  withdrawn.     He  was  lost 


424  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

in  wonder  and  joy.     He  did  not  touch  the  vessel,  for  he  had  not 
been  told  to  do  so. 

The  building  had  taken  thirty  years  to  complete.  After  the 
consecration,  a  dove  appeared  every  Good  Friday  carrying  a  wafer 
from  the  holy  sacrament  in  its  bill.  It  dropped  the  wafer  into  the 
sacred  vessel,  thereby  keeping  up  the  miraculous  powers  of  the 
Grail,  which  provided  food  for  the  knights  who  guarded  it,  and 
healed  any  wounds  they  might  sustain  at  the  hands  of  the  un- 
believers who  sometimes  attacked  them. 

His  Marriage  and  Descendants. 

Time  passed  on,  and  Titurel  was  four  hundred  years  old,  but  no 
one  looking  at  him  would  have  thought  him  more  than  forty. 
One  evening  when  he  entered  the  sanctuary  and  turned  his  eyes 
upon  the  Grail,  he  saw  that  it  had  a  message  for  him.  Drawing 
near,  that  he  might  read  the  letters  of  fire  in  which  all  such 
commands  were  issued,  he  read  that  he  was  to  take  a  wife,  so  that 
the  chosen  race  might  not  die  out  of  the  land.  He  called  the 
knights  of  the  Temple.  They  saw  what  was  written,  and  said 
that  he  must  obey.  With  one  accord,  all  fixed  upon  the  Lady 
Richoude,  daughter  of  a  Spanish  chief,  as  the  most  worthy 
maiden  to  be  his  wife.  The  wooing  was  done  by  solemn  em- 
bassage, and  neither  father  nor  daughter  was  deaf  to  the  call. 
The  marriage  took  place,  and  on  the  same  day  Titurel  received 
the  honour  of  knighthood,  which  he  had  always  refused  before  out 
of  humility.  Two  children  were  born  to  Sir  Titurel  and  his  wife ; 
a  son  named  Frimutel,  and  a  daughter  called  Richoude  after 
her  mother.  Twenty  years  later  Titurel  lost  his  wife,  and  was 
once  more  alone  in  the  world,  except  for  his  children,  to  whom 
he  was  devoted. 

Richoude,  who  was  very  lovely,  married  a  king  whose  realm 
lay  far  away  from  her  old  home ;  and  Frimutel  married  Clarissa, 


TITUREL.  425 

daughter  of  the  king  of  Granada  ;  by  her  he  had  five  children. 
Two  of  them  were  sons,  Amfortas  and  Trevrezent  by  name,  and 
three  daughters,  Herzeleide,  Joisiane,  and  Repanse. 

Titurel  was  no  longer  able  to  bear  the  weight  of  his  armour : 
he  passed  his  time  either  in  church  or  with  his  grandchildren. 
One  day  when  he  went,  as  he  often  did,  to  gaze  at  the  holy 
Grail,  he  saw  written  in  letters  of  fire  on  the  rim  of  the  vessel, 
"  Frimutel  shall  be  king."  The  old  man's  heart  was  full  of  joy. 
He  called  his  son,  his  grandchildren,  and  all  the  young  heroes  who 
served  the  Sangreal,  around  him,  and  told  them  what  had  been 
ordained.  He  then  desired  his  granddaughter  Joisiane  to  place 
the  floating  Grail  upon  the  altar ;  for  she,  as  a  pure  virgin,  could 
touch  it.  She  obeyed,  and  then  the  old  man  put  the  crown  on 
his  son's  head,  and  blessed  him  and  the  assembled  brotherhood. 

Titurel  lived  on,  and  saw  many  joyful  and  many  sorrowful 
things  happen.  Joisiane  married  King  Kiot  of  Catalonia,  and 
died  at  the  birth  of  her  babe  Sigune, 

Who  fairer  was  than  flowers  in  lusty  May, 
That  ope  their  dewy  cups  to  dawning  day. 

Her  sister  Herzeleide  took  the  child,  and  brought  it  up  with 
Tchionatulander,  the  orphan  son  of  a  friend  ;  but  after  a  time  she 
lost  her  husband,  and  had  to  fly  with  her  son  Percival,  leaving 
Sigune  and  Tchionatulander  under  the  care  of  friends.  But  worse 
things  than  this  were  yet  to  happen.  Frimutel  thought  his  life  at 
Montsalvatch  confined  and  dull,  he  wearied  of  it,  and  went  out 
to  seek  excitement  in  the  world.  He  died  of  a  lance-wound 
far  away  in  the  land  of  the  unbelievers.  His  son  Amfortas  was 
crowned  his  successor,  in  obedience  to  the  fiery  letters  that  ap- 
peared on  the  holy  vessel ;  but  he  had  inherited  the  wild  blood 
and  roving  spirit  of  his  father  ;  and  instead  of  fulfilling  the  oflSce 
to  which  he  was  appointed,  he  went  out  into  the  world  in  search  of 


426  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

love  and  fame.  At  length  he  was  brought  back  to  his  grand- 
father, sick  unto  death  of  a  wound  caused  by  a  poisoned  spear. 

One  day,  while  Sir  Titurel  knelt  in  the  sanctuary  praying  for 
his  grandson,  whose  life  of  pain  was  prolonged  by  the  holy 
Grail  appearing  to  him  once  in  every  seven  days,  he  suddenly 
saw  these  words  in  letters  of  fire  : — 

"  Murmur  not,  good  old  man  ;  endure  the  load  of  others'  sins. 
A  chosen  hero  shall  one  day  climb  the  holy  mount  If  he  ask, 
before  nightfall,  of  the  beginning  and  end  of  this  tale  of  woe,  then 
shall  the  spell  be  broken,  and  Amfortas  cured,  but  the  new-comer 
shall  be  king  in  his  stead." 

Again  and  again  Titurel  read  the  mysterious  words,  and  asked 
when  the  hero  would  come.  He  received  no  answer ;  but  the 
words,  "  murmur  not ;  endure,"  shone  brighter  than  before,  and 
he  bowed  his  head,  leaving  the  future  confidently  to  God. 


II.  PERCIVAL. 

Journey  to  Arthur's  Court. 

\Ty^HEN  Queen  Herzeleide 
•  '  had  to  fly  from  home 
with  her  little  son  on  the  death 
of  her  husband,  she  retired  to  a 
small  house  she  possessed  in  an  out-of-the-way  district,  and 
devoted  herself  to  the  education  of  her  boy.  She  never  spoke  to 
him  of  knightly  deeds,  for  she  feared  lest,  when   he  was  grown 


428  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

up,  he  should  leave  her  to  seek  adventures,  and  should  die  in 
some  tournament  or  feud.  Notwithstanding  this,  young  Percival 
grew  up  a  bold,  strong  youth,  fearless  of  all  danger. 

One  day,  as  he  was  coming  home  from  hunting,  he  met  some 
knights  riding  through  the  wood  arrayed  in  full  armour.  One  of 
them  asked  him  a  question,  which  Percival  answered  at  random. 
Then,  going  up  to  the  knight,  he  asked  what  strange  garments 
those  were  that  he  and  his  companions  wore,  and  why  they  had 
golden  spurs.  The  knight  was  amused,  and  answered  the  lad's 
questions  very  kindly,  adding,  "  If  you  want  to  know  more  of 
knights  and  knighthood,  you  must  go  to  King  Arthur's  court, 
and  there,  if  you  are  worthy,  you  may  perchance  be  made  a 
knight  yourself." 

Percival  could  not  forget  what  he  had  heard  and  seen.  He 
cared  no  more  for  hunting,  and  spent  his  days  and  nights  in 
dreaming  of  swords,  knighthood,  and  battle.  Herzeleide  asked 
her  son  what  ailed  him,  and  when  she  learnt  the  cause  of  his 
sorrow,  her  heart  was  filled  with  terror  lest,  inheriting  his  father's 
heroic  spirit,  Percival  might  meet  with  his  father's  fate.  At 
length  she  gave  way  to  the  lad's  entreaties,  and  let  him  go,  but 
with  a  breaking  heart 

Percival  felt  the  parting  with  his  mother  very  much ;  but 
youth  and  hope  were  strong  in  his  heart,  and  thoughts  of  the 
joy  of  meeting  again  soon  thrust  the  sorrow  of  parting  into  the 
background. 

Lost  in  such  reflections,  he  came  to  a  meadow  in  which  some 
tents  were  pitched.  In  one  of  these  he  saw  a  couch  on  which 
a  beautiful  woman  lay  asleep.  She  was  richly  dressed  ;  her  girdle 
blazed  with  precious  stones,  as  did  also  the  ornaments  on  her 
arms,  neck,  and  fingers.  He  thought,  as  he  plucked  a  flower, 
so  he  might  also  steal  a  kiss  from  the  rosy  lips  of  the  sleeping 
beauty ;  but,  as  he  did  so,  she  awoke,  and  was  very  angry. 


.PERCIVAL.  429 

"  Don't  be  angry,"  he  said,  throwing  himself  at  her  feet  "  I 
have  often  kissed  my  mother  when  I  have  caught  her  asleep, 
and  you  are  more  beautiful  than  my  mother." 

The  lady  gazed  at  him  in  astonishment,  and  listened  to  his 
boyish  confidences  about  going  to  Arthur's  court,  being  made 
a  knight,  and  doing  great  deeds  thereafter.  Suddenly  a  horn 
sounded  at  no  great  distance. 

"  That  is  my  husband,"  cried  the  lady ;  "  quick,  boy,  get  away 
as  fast  as  you  can,  or  we  are  both  undone." 

"  Oh,  I  am  not  afraid,"  he  said.  "  Look  at  my  quiver ;  it  is 
quite  full  ;  I  could  defend  you  as  well  as  myself  Let  me  have 
one  of  your  bracelets  as  a  sign  that  you  are  not  angry  with  me." 

As  he  spoke,  he  slipped  the  bracelet  off  her  arm,  left  the  tent, 
mounted  his  horse,  and  rode  away. 

Shortly  after  this  Lord  Orilus,  the  lady's  husband,  appeared, 
and  with  him  many  knights.  When  he  heard  from  her  what 
had  happened,  he  fell  into  a  passion,  and  swore  that  he  would 
hang  the  "  impudent  varlet "  if  he  could  catch  him.  But  though 
he  set  out  at  once  in  pursuit,  he  could  see  nothing  of  the  youth. 

Meanwhile  Percival  continued  his  journey.  That  night  he 
slept  in  the  forest,  and  went  on  his  way  next  morning  at  an  easy 
pace.  As  he  was  passing  under  a  rock,  he  saw  a  maiden  sitting 
by  a  spring  that  gushed  out  of  it.  She  wept  bitterly  as  she 
bent  over  a  dead  man,  whose  head  lay  in  her  lap.  Percival 
spoke  to  her,  and  tried  to  comfort  her  by  saying  that  he  would 
avenge  the  death  of  the  murdered  man,  for  murdered  he  was 
sure  he  was.  He  then  told  her  his  name,  and  she  said  that  .she 
was  his  cousin  Sigune,  and  that  the  dead  man  was  her  old  play- 
fellow Tchionatulander,  who  had  met  his  end  in  trying  to  gratify 
a  silly  wish  of  hers — a  wish  she  had  no  sooner  given  utterance 
to  than  she  repented.  She  had  lost  a  dog,  and  had  wanted  to 
have  it  again.     That  was  the  cause  of  all  her  sorrow. 


430  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

"  He  was  a  real  hero,"  she  continued,  "  and  one  of  the  knights 
of  King  Arthur's  Round  Table.  Your  mother  made  him  governor 
of  her  wasted  lands.  He  conquered  the  robber  hosts,  slevy  their 
leader,  wild  Lahelin,  and  flung  his  ally,  Orilus,  Lord  of  Cumber- 
land, from  his  horse,  so  that  he  only  escaped  by  the  help  of  his 
troopers  who  bore  him  off  the  field.  When  he  promised  to  get  me 
back  the  dog,  he  challenged  Orilus  to  single  combat  before  King 
Arthur  and  his  knights,  the  prize  of  victory  to  be  the  setter  that 
Lord  Orilus  had  caught,  and  kept,  when  it  ran  away  from  me. 
The  challenge  was  accepted,  but  the  time  of  meeting  was  put  off 
for  a  while,  because  Orilus  was  suffering  from  an  unhealed  wound. 
Meanwhile  the  Lady  Jeschute,  fearing  for  the  life  of  her  husband, 
sent  me  back  the  dog.  Tchionatulander  and  I  regarded  the 
matter  as  settled,  so  we  set  out  together  to  go  to  the  sanctuary 
of  the  Holy  Grail,  where  we  were  to  be  married.  As  ill  luck 
would  have  it,  we  met  Orilus  and  his  wife,  and  in  spite  of  all  the 
entreaties  of  Jeschute  and  myself,  the  two  knights  quarrelled  and 
fought.  Orilus  recovered  from  the  stunning  fall ;  but  my  dear 
love — oh  that  I  had  died  instead !  It  was  my  fault,  all  my 
fault." 

"  Be  comforted,  cousin,"  said  Percival,  "  I  will  go  to  King 
Arthur,  I  will  tell  him  your  story,  and  ask  him  to  make  me  a 
knight,  and  to  take  care  of  you.  Then  I  will  go  and  seek  out 
Orilus,  and  avenge  your  wrongs." 

He  then  took  leave  of  Sigune,  and  went  on  his  way.  Coming 
to  a  broad  river  he  questioned  the  ferryman  as  to  where  he  should 
find  King  Arthur's  court.  The  man  answered  that  he  must  go  to 
Nantes,  a  good  bit  on  the  other  side  of  the  river ;  so  Percival  gave 
him  the  gold  bracelet  he  had  taken  from  the  lady's  arm,  and 
asked  him  to  set  him  across.  This  the  man  did,  and  afterwards 
put  him  in  the  right  road. 

Arrived  at  Nantes,  the  first  person  he  met  was  a  red-haired 


PERCIVAL.  43 1 

knight  clad  in  red  armour,  and  riding  a  sorrel  steed.  Percival 
spoke  to  him  courteously,  and  asked  for  the  loan  of  his  horse  and 
armour,  that  he  might  go  in  seemly  fashion  to  the  king  and  ask 
for  knighthood  at  his  hands.  But  the  stranger  laughed,  and  said, 
"  A  rustic  youth  in  a  fool's  cap  were  the  very  thing  to  carry  my 
message  of  defiance." 

"  Here,"  he  continued,  "  take  this  cup  to  the  king  as  a  token, 
tell  him  that  I  challenge  him  and  all  his  Round  Table  to  deadly 
combat.  You  see  that  I  cannot  lend  you  my  horse  and  armour,  as 
I  need  them  myself,  but  after  the  battle  you  will  be  able  to  pick 
and  choose  amongst  the  armour  and  horses  of  the  slain." 

Indignant  at  the  knight's  refusal,  Percival  rode  on  in  silence. 
As  he  went  down  the  principal  street  of  the  royal  borough,  the 
people  all  laughed  at  his  appearance,  the  very  boys  pointed  and 
hooted  at  him,  and  in  good  truth  he  looked  ridiculous  enough. 
The  ribbons  of  his  striped  cap  fluttered  in  the  breeze,  his  many- 
coloured  jacket  and  leather  hose  were  very  shabby,  and  his  sorry 
nag  limped  with  fatigue.  At  length  a  squire  named  Iwanet  took 
his  part,  chased  away  the  boys,  and  chid  them  for  their  discourtesy 
to  a  stranger.  The  young  hero  thanked  the  man,  and  begged 
him  to  take  him  to  King  Arthur  to  whom  he  was  the  bearer  of 
a  message.  Iwanet  at  once  complied  with  Percival's  request,  and 
took  him  to  the  palace.  On  entering  the  open  hall  where  the  king 
was  seated  with  his  knights  at  the  celebrated  Round  Table,  the 
young  man  turned  to  his  companion  in  amazement,  saying : 

"  Are  there  so  many  Arthurs  ?  My  mother  only  told  me  of 
one." 

The  squire  smiled  as  he  replied  that  there  was  indeed  only  one 
Arthur,  and  that  he  was  the  knight  whose  beard  was  beginning  to 
turn  grey,  and  who  wore  the  crown  on  his  head. 

Percival  now  walked  up  the  hall,  and  bowing  to  the  king 
repeated  the  message  of  the  red  knight,  adding  that  he  wished  the 


432  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

king  would  use  his  power  and  give  him  the  red  knight's  horse  and 
armour,  for  he  liked  them  well. 

"  The  boy  would  have  the  bear-skin  before  the  hunter  has  slain 
the  bear,"  said  Arthur  laughing ;  "  but,"  he  added,  "  I  will  give  you 
the  things  you  ask  for,  if  you  can  get  possession  of  them." 

"  Thank  you,  sire,"  answered  Percival,  "  I  shall  need  your  gift 
if  I  am  to  become  a  knight ; "  so  saying,  he  bowed,  and  took  his 
leave. 

When  he  returned  to  the  red  knight,  he  told  him  all  that  had 
occurred,  and  asked  him  for  the  horse  and  armour  the  king  had 
given  him.  The  knight  upon  this  rapped  him  so  shrewdly  on  the 
head  with  the  butt  end  of  his  lance,  that  he  fell  from  his  nag. 
He  soon  recovered,  however,  and  attacked  the  knight  so  suddenly 
v/ith  his  spear  that  he  killed  him  on  the  spot.  He  then  tried  to 
take  off  his  armour,  but  in  vain.  Fortunately  Iwanet  happened  to 
pass  that  way,  and  seeing  the  lad's  difficulty  offered  to  help  him. 
Percival  was  soon  arrayed  in  the  full  suit  of  armour,  which  he  in- 
sisted on  wearing  above  his  other  clothes  as  they  had  been  made 
by  his  mother.  This  done,  he  thanked  the  squire  for  his  timely 
assistance,  mounted  the  red  knight's  charger,  and  rode  away,  he 
knew  not  whither. 

After  he  had  ridden  a  long  way  he  came  to  the  castle  of 
Gurnemann,  an  elderly  man  and  a  brave  warrior.  The  old  chief 
asked  the  youth  to  come  in  and  spend  the  night  under  his  roof, 
and  Percival  accepted  the  invitation  with  pleasure.  He  was  so 
taken  with  his  host's  kindly  manner,  that  before  the  evening  was 
over  he  felt  drawn  to  tell  him  of  his  mother  and  all  his  adventures 
since  he  had  left  her.  Gurnemann  persuaded  the  lad  to  remain 
with  him  for  some  time,  and  began  to  teach  him  how  to  become  a 
true  knight  and  hero. 

"  Do  not  always  have  your  mother's  name  upon  your  lips,"  he 
would  say,  "  for  it  sounds  childish.     Preserve  her  teaching  faith- 


PERCIVAL. 


4.33 


fully  in  your  heart,  and  you  will  please  her  more  than  by  talking 
of  her  continually.  A  knight  should  be  modest,  love  one  maiden 
only,  not  play  at  love  with  many  women.  He  should  help  the 
oppressed,  and  show  kindness  to  all.  When  he  has  conquered  an 
enemy  he  should  show  mercy ;  and  when  he  is  conquered  he 
should  not  beg  for  life.  To  face  death  boldly  is  a  hero's  glory, 
and  such  death  is  better  than  a  dishonoured  life." 

With  these  and  other  words  of  wisdom  the  old  man  strove  to 
fit  the  youth  for  knighthood.  At  the  same  time  he  gave  him 
fitting  clothes,  telling  him  it  was  no  disrespect  to  his  mother  to 
cease  to  wear  the  curious  garments  with  which  she  had  provided 
him.  Time  passed  on,  and  Percival  proved  such  an  apt  pupil 
that  Gurnemann  grew  as  proud  of  him  as  if  he  had  been  his 
own  son. 

At  last  he  told  the  youth  that  the  time  had  come  for  him  to  go 
out  into  the  world  and  draw  his  sword  in  defence  of  innocence 
and  right,  for  Queen  Konduiramur  was  hard  pressed  in  her  capital, 
Belripar,  by  the  wild  chief  Klamide  and  his  seneschal  Kingram. 
Percival  was  nothing  loth,  and  at  once  prepared  to  go  and  help 
the  queen. 

Arrived  at  Belripar,  which  stood  on  the  sea  at  the  mouth  of  a 
great  river,  he  rowed  himself  across  the  stream,  his  good  horse 
swimming  at  his  side.  Though  artillery  frowned  from  the  castle 
walls,  he  gained  admittance  on  pronouncing  the  password  given 
him  by  Gurnemann,  and  was  conducted  into  the  queen's  presence. 
She  received  him  kindly,  and  he  at  once  offered  her  his  services. 
She  entreated  him  to  have  nothing  to  do  with  so  unlucky  a  cause 
as  hers  ;  but  he  was  not  to  be  persuaded  to  abandon  her.  It 
almost  seemed  as  though  he  had  brought  good  fortune  in  his  train, 
for  a  few  days  later  some  ships  laden  with  provisions  managed  to 
run  the  blockade,  and  when  Percival  made  a  sally  on  the  enemy 
soon  after,  he  unhorsed  and  took  prisoner  the  seneschal  Kingram, 

E  E 


434  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

whom  he  set  free  on  condition  that  he  at  once  set  out  to  tell  King 
Arthur  of  his  defeat  at  the  hands  of  the  red  knight.  The  same 
fate  befel  Klamide  himself  not  long  afterwards. 

Peace  was  now  restored.  The  people  were  all  devoted  to  the 
young  hero  who  had  freed  them  from  Klamide,  and  were  rejoiced 
to  hear  that  he  was  about  to  marry  the  queen. 

The  wedding  took  place  with  great  pomp  and  ceremony.  In 
the  midst  of  all  his  happiness  Percival  had  only  one  sorrow,  and 
that  was  that  his  mother  was  not  there  to  share  his  joy.  He  told 
Konduiramur  what  he  felt,  and  she  agreed  with  him  that  he  ought 
to  go  and  fetch  his  mother  to  Belripar.  So  Percival  mounted 
his  good  horse  and  rode  away. 

Quest  of  the  Grail. 

He  knew  in  which  direction  to  go  to  his  mother,  but  not  the 
roads  that  led  to  her  house  ;  so  it  was  not  surprising  that  he  lost 
his  way  several  times.  One  day  he  came  to  a  great  lake  which  he 
had  never  seen  before.  He  saw  a  man  seated  in  a  boat,  fishing. 
The  man  was  richly  dressed,  but  pale  and  sad.  Percival  asked 
if  he  could  get  food  and  shelter  anywhere  about  for  himself  and 
his  tired  horse,  and  was  told  that  if  he  went  straight  on,  and  did 
not  lose  his  way,  he  would  come  to  a  castle,  where  he  would  be 
kindly  received.  He  started  in  the  direction  indicated  by  the 
fisherman,  and  reached  the  castle  at  nightfall,  after  a  long  and 
toilsome  search.  There  he  met  with  so  much  kindness  and  con- 
sideration, garments  even  being  provided  for  him  "  by  Queen 
Repanse's  orders,"  that  he  was  filled  with  amazement.  When 
freshly  attired  he  was  taken  into  the  hall,  which  was  brilliantly 
lighted.  Four  hundred  knights  were  seated  on  softly-cushioned 
seats  at  small  tables,  each  of  which  was  laid  for  four.  They  all 
sat  grave  and  silent,  as  though   in  expectation.     When   Percival 


PERCIVAL.  435 

entered,  they  rose  and  bowed,  and  a  ray  of  joy  passed  over  each 
woeful  countenance. 

The  master  of  the  house,  who  much  resembled  the  fisherman 
Percival  had  seen  on  the  lake,  sat  in  an  arm-chair  near  the  fire, 
wrapped  in  sables,  and  was  apparently  suffering  from  some 
wasting  disease. 

The  deep  silence  that  reigned  in  the  hall  was  at  length  broken 
by  the  host,  who  invited  Percival,  in  a  low,  weak  voice,  to  sit 
down  beside  him,  telling  him  that  he  had  been  long  expected, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  giving  him  a  sword  of  exquisite  workman- 
ship. The  young  knight  was  filled  with  astonishment.  A  servant 
now  entered  carrying  the  head  of  a  lance  stained  with  blood, 
with  which  he  walked  round  the  room  in  silence.  Percival  would 
much  have  liked  to  ask  the  meaning  of  this  strange  ceremony 
and  also  how  his  arrival  had  come  to  be  expected,  but  he 
feared  lest  he  should  be  deemed  unwarrantably  curious.  While 
thus  thinking,  the  door  opened  again,  and  a  number  of  beautiful 
blue-eyed  maidens  came  in,  two  and  two,  with  a  velvet  cushion 
embroidered  with  pearls,  an  ebony  stand,  and  various  other 
articles.  Last  of  all  came  Queen  Repanse  bearing  a  costly  vessel, 
whose  radiance  was  more  than  the  human  eye  could  steadfastly 
gaze  upon. 

"The  holy  Grail,"  Percival  heard  whispered  by  one  voice 
after  another.  He  longed  to  question  some  one  ;  but  felt  too 
much  awed  by  the  strangeness  and  solemnity  of  all  he  saw. 

The  maidens  withdrew,  and  the  squires  and  pages  of  the 
knights  came  forward.  Then  from  the  shining  vessel  streamed  an 
endless  supply  of  the  costliest  dishes  and  wines,  which  they  set 
before  their  masters.  The  lord  of  the  castle,  however,  only  ate 
of  one  dish,  and  but  a  small  quantity  of  that.  Percival  glanced 
round  the  great  hall.  What  could  this  strange  stillness  and  sad- 
ness mean  ? 


436  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

When  the  meal  was  at  an  end,  the  lord  of  the  castle  dragged 
himself  to  his  feet,  leaning  on  two  servants.  He  looked  eagerly 
at  his  guest,  and  then  retired  with  a  deep  sigh.  Servants  now 
came  to  conduct  Percival  to  his  sleephig  apartment.  Before 
leaving  the  hall  they  opened  the  door  of  a  room  in  which  a 
venerable  old  man  slept  on  a  low  couch.  His  still  handsome  face 
was  framed  in  a  coronal  of  white  curls.  His  sleep  was  uneasy, 
and  his  lips  quivered  as  though  he  were  trying  to  speak.  The 
servants  closed  the  door  again,  and  led  Percival  to  his  chamber. 

When  he  entered  the  room  he  looked  about  him,  and  at  once 
became  aware  of  a  picture  embroidered  on  the  silken  tapestry, 
that  arrested  his  attention.  It  was  the  picture  of  a  battle,  in 
which  the  most  prominent  figure,  a  knight  strangely  like  the  lord 
of  the  castle  in  appearance,  was  sinking  to  the  ground,  wounded 
by  a  spear  of  the  same  kind  as  the  broken  weapon  that  had  been 
carried  round  the  hall.  Much  as  he  desired  to  know  the  meaning 
of  this,  he  determined  to  ask  no  questions  till  the  following 
morning,  though  the  servants  told  him  that  his  coming  had  been 
long  expected,  and  deliverance  was  looked  for  at  his  hands  ;  and 
they  went  away,  sighing  deeply. 

His  sleep  was  disturbed  by  bad  dreams,  and  he  awoke  next 
morning  unrefreshed.  He  found  his  own  clothes  and  armour 
beside  his  bed  ;  but  no  one  came  to  help  him.  He  got  up  and 
dressed.  All  the  doors  in  the  castle  were  locked  except  those 
that  led  out  to  the  ramparts,  where  his  horse  stood  saddled  and 
bridled  at  the  drawbridge.  No  sooner  had  he  crossed  the  bridge 
than  it  was  drawn  up  behind  him,  and  a  voice  called  out  from 
the  battlements : 

"  Accursed  of  God,  thou  that  wast  chosen  to  do  a  great  work, 
and  hast  not  done  it.  Go,  and  return  no  more.  Walk  thy  evil 
way  till  it  leads  thee  down  to  hell." 

The  hero  turned,  and  looked  back  at  the  castle :   a  face  with 


PERCIVAL.  437 

a  fiendish  grin  glared  at  him  for  a  moment  over  the  battlements, 
and  then  disappeared.  Percival  put  spurs  to  his  horse,  and  rode 
away.  He  journeyed  all  day  long  through  bleak,  inhospitable 
country,  and  at  nightfall  reached  a  solitary  cell.  He  dismounted, 
hobbled  his  horse,  and  entered  the  quiet  room.  A  woman 
crouched  on  the  floor  praying.  She  wore  a  penitent's  grey  robe, 
and  her  long  hair  lay  neglected  about  her  face  and  neck.  Startled 
by  his  entrance,  she  rose  slowly  to  her  feet  and  looked  at  him. 

"  What,  you  ?  "  she  said,  "  Herzeleide's  wretched  son  !  What 
do  you  want  of  me }  Tchionatulander's  body  is  embalmed,  and 
I  have  laid  it  in  this  chest.  Here  I  must  kneel  and  pray,  and  do 
penance  till  the  All-Merciful  sets  me  free  " 

"  Good  heavens  !  "  said  the  hero  to  himself,  "  it  is  Sigune  ;  but 
how  changed  ! " 

The  unhappy  woman  stared  at  him  for  some  time  in  silence, 
then  she  went  on,  "  Wretched  man,  do  you  not  know  that  you  are 
lost  for  ever.  You  were  permitted  to  look  upon  the  holy  Grail, 
yet,  of  your  own  will  you  put  aside  the  opportunity  of  freeing 
the  poor  sufferer  from  his  pain.  Do  not  longer  pollute  this  cell 
with  your  unhallowed  presence.  Go,  flee,  till  the  curse  overtake 
you." 

She  stood  before  him  like  an  angry  prophetess.  A  feeling  of 
dread,  such  as  he  had  never  known  before,  took  possession  of  him, 
and  he  staggered  out  of  her  presence  and  into  the  night.  He 
walked  on  and  on,  leading  his  horse,  till  at  length  he  sank  on 
the  ground,  and  found  relief  from  his  troubles  in  a  sound  and 
refreshing  sleep. 

The  sun  was  high  in  the  heavens  when  he  awoke.  His  faithful 
horse  was  grazing  near  him,  so  he  mounted  and  rode  on  without 
knowing  or  caring  where  he  went.  As  evening  came  on,  a  farmei 
met  him,  and  offered  him  a  night's  lodging,  which  he  thankfully 
accepted.     Next  day,  when  he  resumed  his  journey,  he  was  able 


438  ARTHUii  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

to  think  more  calmly  of  all  that  had  occurred  ;  and  came  to 
the  conclusion  that  he  ought  to  return  to  the  castle,  and  try  to 
expiate  the  sin  he  had  committed  unconsciously.  But  he  could 
not  find  the  way  to  it.  He  asked  every  one  he  met  to  show  him 
the  way  to  the  castle  where  the  holy  Grail  was  to  be  seen  :  but 
every  one  took  him  for  a  fool  or  a  madman.  As  he  rode  on  sadly, 
he  met  a  knight  leading  a  woman  in  chains.  He  at  once  recog- 
nised the  beautiful  lady  from  whom  he  had  stolen  the  kiss  when 
she  was  asleep.  She  looked  at  him  in  silent  entreaty,  so  he 
felt  himself  bound  to  help  her.  He  desired  the  knight  to  let  the 
poor  woman  go,  but  was  answered  with  a  scornful  laugh.  Upon 
this  the  fight  began,  and  raged  hotly  for  some  time.  At  last 
Percival  was  victorious.  As  he  was  about  to  slay  his  fallen  and 
unconscious  foe,  he  remembered  Sir  Gurnemann's  teaching,  and 
refrained.  Leaving  the  man  lying  on  the  ground,  he  turned  to 
the  lady,  and  freed  her  from  her  chains.  By  this  time  the  fallen 
knight  had  regained  his  senses,  and  Percival  let  him  go  after 
making  him  swear  to  treat  the  lady  for  the  future  with  all 
courtesy,  and  to  go  to  King  Arthur's  court  and  say  that  he  had 
been  defeated  by  the  red  knight.  Before  they  parted,  Percival 
learned  that  his  opponent  was  Sir  Orilus,  and  that  the  lady 
was  his  wife,  whom,  ever  since  that  scene  in  the  tent,  he  had 
persecuted  out  of  groundless  jealousy.  Percival  solemnly  swore 
that  the  meeting  had  been  innocent  and  accidental,  and  thus  he 
brought  about  a  sincere  reconciliation. 

The  hero  continued  his  search  for  the  holy  Grail,  but  all  in 
vain.  He  followed  out  the  quest  in  summer's  heat  and  winter's 
storm,  yet  never  seemed  to  get  nearer  the  goal.  One  day  he 
met  Sir  Gawain,  King  Arthur's  nephew,  who  asked  him  to  come 
back  to  court  with  him,  and  see  the  king,  and  be  made  a  knight 
of  the  Round  Table.  Percival  at  once  consented,  hoping,  as  he 
did  so,  to  learn  something  from  Arthur  about  the  holy  Grail. 


PERCIVAL.  439 

Sir  Gavvain  sent  a  squire  on  to  announce  the  red  knight's 
arri/al  to  his  uncle,  so  the  king  came  out  to  meet  them,  accom- 
panied by  his  heroes  and  many  of  the  townsfolks,  for  all  were 
anxious  to  see  the  warrior  of  whose  powers  so  much  had  been 
heard  and  of  whom  so  little  was  known.  On  the  following  day 
in  the  open  field,  Percival  received  from  Arthur's  hand  the  sign 
of  knighthood,  and  was  enrolled  a  member  of  the  Round  Table. 

Whilst  the  heralds  were  yet  proclaiming  the  new  knight's  name 
and  deeds,  a  woman  rode  into  the  royal  presence  on  a  miserable 
nag.  She  threw  back  her  veil  on  approaching  the  king,  and 
displayed  a  hideous  countenance,  brown,  yellow,  and  grey,  like 
a  withered  leaf,  and  her  eyes  glowed  like  burning  coals  out 
of  their  deep  sockets. 

"It  is  the  witch  Kundrie,  the  messenger  of  the  Sangreal," 
cried  many  voices. 

"  It  is  even  she,"  said  the  woman,  "  and  she  comes  to  cry  woe 
upon  King  Arthur  and  his  Round  Table  if  they  suffer  the 
man  I  shall  name  to  remain  in  their  midst.  Percival  is  un- 
worthy of  the  honour  you  have  shown  him.  He  was  chosen 
to  the  highest  dignity,  and  has  wickedly  neglected  to  end  the 
pains  of  the  greatest  sufferer  upon  earth.  Woe  unto  him !  Woe 
unto  Arthur  and  his  heroes,  if  the  unhallowed  presence  of  the 
dishonoured  knight  be  not  at  once  removed." 

Every  eye  was  fixed  now  on  the  prophetess,  and  now  upon 
Sir  Percival,  who,  horror-stricken  at  what  had  occurred,  slipped 
quietly  out  of  the  assemblage,  and,  mounting  his  horse,  rode 
away.  Amongst  all  the  heroes  of  the  Round  Table  there  was 
only  one  who  took  his  part,  and  that  was  Gawain.  He  said  it 
was  a  shame  to  let  the  flower  of  chivalry  thus  d3part  on  the 
word  of  a  hawk-nosed  witch.  Upon  this  Kundrie  got  into  a 
great  rage,  and  said  : 

"  Thou  wretch,  the  curse  hath  fallen  upon  thee  too.     Go,  if  thou 


440  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOL  V  GRAIL. 

dare,  and  find  Klinschor's  magic  castle,  where  thy  grandmother, 
*hy  mother,  and  sister,  and  other  noble  ladies  lie  under  the  spell 
of  enchantment ;  free  them  if  thou  canst !  " 

Gawain  turned,  and  went  away  without  a  word.  He  mounted 
his  horse,  and  set  out  in  pursuit  of  Percival. 

Klinschor's  Enchanted  Castle. 

Wherever  the  hero  went,  he  found  people  who  told  him  they 
had  met  the  red  knight,  and  again  he  came  up  with  armed  men 
who  had  fought  with  him  and  whom  he  had  conquered.  So  the 
days  and  weeks  passed  on,  and  he  still  continued  to  follow 
Percival  until  he  lost  all  trace  of  him  in  the  far  East.  At 
last  he  heard  of  him  again,  and  seeking  him,  heard  more  of  his 
great  deeds,  but  himself  he  could  not  find. 

Sir  Gawain  thought  the  matter  over  carefully,  and  made  up 
his  mind  that  the  best  way  to  find  Percival,  would  be  to  seek 
out  the  holy  Grail,  for  which  he  also  sought 

As  he  rode  along,  h-e  met  a  knight  whom  Percival  had  wounded 
Gawain  offered  him  help ;  but  Kingrimursel,  as  the  man  was 
called,  felt  too  sore  about  his  defeat  to  be  able  to  accept  any  kind- 
ness, and  at  once  challenged  Gawain  to  fight  him  when  his  wounds 
were  healed.  Before  the  hero  had  gone  much  farther  he  met  a 
woman  whose  beauty  made  him  forget  both  the  challenge  and  the 
holy  Grail,  and  even  the  red  knight.  And  indeed  she  was  a  lady 
of  most  marvellous  beauty ;  her  dark  hair  fell  down  her  neck  in 
curls,  and  her  eyes  gleamed  like  stars.  Gawain  approached  her, 
and  entered  into  conversation  with  her.  Finding  her  as  wise  and 
witty  as  she  was  fair,  he  told  her  that  he  loved  her ;  but  she  only 
laughed  at  him.  He  persisted,  so  she  said  that  if  he  would  find 
favour  in  her  sight,  he  must  go  into  the  garden  hard  by,  and  fetch 
out  her  white  palfrey. 

He  went  to  the  garden  gate,  and  seeing  an  elderly  man  standing 


PERCIVAL.  44  J 


within,  he  asked  him  where  he  should  find  the  lady's  palfrey.  The 
man  shook  his  head  sadly  as  he  answered  : 

"Ah  my  friend,  take  care.  That  lady  is  the  Duchess  Orgueil- 
leuse,  a  witch  who  has  caused  the  death  of  many  a  noble  knight, 
and  for  whose  sake  the  great  King  Amfortas  faced  the  danger  in 
which  he  was  wounded  by  the  poisoned  spear.  Throw  off  her 
bonds  while  yet  you  can.  Look,  there  is  your  horse.  Mount,  and 
ride  away." 

The  warning  was  vain  :  a  mere  waste  of  words.  It  was  as 
though  the  haughty  duchess  had  cast  a  spell  over  Sir  Gawain. 
He  was  powerless  in  her  hands.  He  brought  her  the  palfrey,  and 
not  noticing  the  supercilious  way  in  which  she  refused  all  help 
from  him  in  mounting,  followed  her  with  passive  obedience  through 
many  lands.  Many  a  battle  had  he  to  fight  for  her  sweet  sake, 
and  every  now  and  then,  he  could  not  help  seeing  that  it  was  she 
who  brought  on  the  fight,  when  otherwise  there  would  have  been 
none.  Yet  he  was  always  victorious,  and  never  swerved  from  his 
fealty  to  the  lady  of  his  love,  who  was  now  pleased  to  allow  him 
to  ride  beside  her. 

At  length  they  reached  a  hill-top  from  which  they  had  an 
extensive  view  over  a  wide  valley.  Opposite,  there  was  a  castle 
perched  on  the  top  of  a  high  rock,  and  overshadowed  by  a  gigantic 
pine-tree.  Orgueilleuse  pointed  to  it,  and  said  that  it  belonged 
to  Gramoflans,  her  mortal  enemy,  and  the  man  who  had  slain  her 
lover.  "  Now,"  she  continued,  "  if  you  will  bring  me  a  spray  of 
the  magic  tree  yonder,  and  conquer  Gramoflans,  who  will  at  once 
challenge  you  to  single-combat,  I  will — be  your — your  faithful 
wife." 

The  knight  would  have  fought  the  prince  of  darkness  himself 
for  such  a  prize,  so  he  set  spurs  to  his  horse  without  a  moment's 
hesitation,  and  rode  away  in  the  direction  of  the  castle.  He 
crossed  the  valley,  swam  over  a  deep  moat,  and  reached  the  tree. 


442  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

He  pulled  a  small  branch,  and  tried  to  weave  it  into  a  wreath, 
but  as  he  did  so,  he  heard  a  voice  call  in  angry  tones : 

"  What  are  you  doing  there,  rash  youth  ?  How  dare  you  touch 
my  magic  tree  !  I  know  you  well,  you  are  Sir  Gawain,  a  knight 
of  the  Round  Table.  Your  father  slew  my  father  long  ago,  and 
I  intend  to  have  vengeance.  Meet  me,  therefore,  in  eight  days 
time  before  Klinschor's  magic  castle.  There  shall  twelve  hundred 
of  my  warriors  see  me  avenge  my  father's  death.  You  may  bring 
as  many  men,  or  more,  if  you  like."  So  saying,  the  speaker 
turned  his  back  upon  the  hero  and  re-entered  his  castle. 

Gawain  brought  the  wreath  to  his  lady,  who  received  it  calmly. 
She  did  not  waste  her  words  in  thanks,  but  pursued  her  way  in 
silence  ;  he  accompanying  her  wherever  she  chose  to  go.  After  a 
time,  they  came  in  sight  of  two  strong  castles,  one  of  which,  the 
duchess  said,  was  Logreis,  her  father's  ancestral  residence,  and  the 
other  was  Klinschor's  magic  castle,  in  which  the  great  magician, 
Klinschor,  kept  the  noble  dames  and  damsels  he  had  stolen,  in 
close  confinement  and  laden  with  heavy  chains.  She  herself,  she 
added,  had  only  bought  her  freedom  by  giving  the  monster  all 
the  gold  she  had  inherited  from  her  father.  Scarcely  had  she 
uttered  these  words,  when  a  grim  warrior  appeared,  and  called 
to  Gawain  to  defend  himself.  Orgueilleuse  withdrew,  reminding 
Gawain  of  her  promise.  A  few  minutes  later,  having  overthrown 
his  adversary,  the  knight  got  into  the  ferry-boat,  that  had  just 
returned  from  setting  the  duchess  on  the  other  side  of  the  water, 
and  went  across.  That  night  he  lodged  with  the  ferryman,  who 
told  him  all  the  gossip  of  the  place,  and  particularly  of  the  great 
doings  of  a  valiant  knight  clad  in  red  armour. 

As  darkness  came  on,  Gawain  went  to  the  window,  and  looked 
cut  He  saw  the  lighted  windows  of  the  magician's  castle,  at  each 
of  which  a  sad  female  face  appeared.  The  women  were  a  curious 
medley.     Their  ages   seemed  to  range  from    early  childhood   to 


PERCIVAL. 


445 


grey  old  age.  Sir  Gawain  turned  wrathfully  from  the  sight 
saying  that  he  would  slay  the  caitiff  knight,  and  set  the  wretched 
ladies  free ;  but  the  ferryman  bade  him  beware  what  he  did,  for 
Klinschor  was  not  only  very  strong,  but  was  learned  in  the  black 
art.  Sir  Gawain,  however,  was  not  to  be  dissuaded  from  the 
emprise. 

He  mounted  his  horse  early  next  morning,  and  set  out  for  the 
magic  castle,  the  towers  of  which  rose  dark  and  mysterious-look- 
ing before  him.  He  was  admitted  into  the  court  by  a  gigantic 
porter,  who  opened  the  door  for  him  without  making  any  difficulty. 
The  building  seemed  totally  deserted.  Not  a  household  utensil 
was  to  be  seen  anywhere,  nor  any  woman.  He  wandered  from 
room  to  room  lost  in  astonishment.  At  last  he  came  to  a  room 
in  which  a  comfortable  couch  was  spread,  and  as  he  felt  tired, 
he  thought  he  would  lie  down  and  rest  for  a  little ;  but,  to  his 
intense  surprise,  the  bed  retreated  as  he  advanced,  and  he  could 
not  get  in.  Rendered  impatient  by  this  he  boldly  leapt  upon 
the  bed,  and  next  instant  was  assailed  by  a  perfect  storm  of 
arrows,  lances,  javelins,  and  heavy  stones.  From  these  he  guarded 
himself  as  well  as  he  could.  Had  he  not  been  dressed  in  full 
armour,  he  would  speedily  have  been  slain,  and  even  as  it  wa.*? 
he  received  many  a  wound. 

The  terrible  hail  of  weapons  ceased  as  suddenly  as  it  had  begun. 
A  stillness  as  of  death  set  in.  The  silence  was  at  length  broke:i 
by  the  heavy  tramp  of  a  peasant,  who  entered  the  room  bearing 
a  great  club  in  his  hand,  and  followed  by  a  lion.  The  man  was 
of  enormous  size,  and  his  voice  was  deep  and  gruff. 

"Quiet,  Leo,"  he  said,  "I  am  going  to  break  that  fellow's  skull 
before  I  throw  you  his  carcase.  What !  "  he  continued  in  amaze- 
ment, "still  alive,  and  in  full  armour!  Nay  then,  go  at  him  your- 
self, good  Leo."  So  saying,  he  hastened  away  as  fast  as  his  legs 
would  carry  him. 


446  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 


The  lion  sprang  upon  the  hero,  and  tried  to  tear  him  with  its 
claws ;  but  almost  instantly  fell  backwards  with  a  howl  of  mingled 
rage  and  pain,  for  Gawain  had  cut  off  one  of  its  fore-paws.  The 
hero  now  jumped  out  of  bed,  and  attacked  the  Hon  with  such 
hearty  good  will  that  he  finally  killed  it ;  but  the  exhaustion 
caused  by  the  protracted  struggle  was  so  great  that  he  sank  faint- 
ing on  its  carcase. 

When  he  came  to  himself  again  he  found  a  number  of  women 
bending  over  him,  and  calling  him  their  deliverer.  Amongst 
them  were  his  grandmother,  his  mother,  and  his  sister  Itonie. 
The  spell  was  broken,  and  Klinschor  had  fled.  As  soon  as 
Gawain  had  a  little  recovered  from  his  fatigue,  he  sent  messen- 
gers to  tell  Arthur  what  had  happened,  and  to  ask  him  to  come 
and  witness  the  combat  that  was  to  take  place  between  him 
and  Gramoflans. 

Arthur  came,  and  Sir  Gawain  felt  that  his  cup  of  happiness 
was  full  when  he  presented  the  beautiful  Lady  Orgueilleuse  to 
his  uncle. 

At  length  the  wished-for  day  of  combat  dawned.  A  knight 
arrived  dressed  in  black,  and  riding  on  a  coal  black  steed. 
Gawain  rode  forward  to  meet  him.  Their  swords  flashed,  and 
they  fought  as  beseemed  noble  knights  in  such  fair  company. 
The  king  and  the  ladies  drew  nearer  that  they  might  the  better 
watch  the  skill  of  the  combatants.  Gradually  the  black  knight 
had  the  best  of  the  fight.  Gawain's  strength  to  parry  the 
thrusts  of  his  adversary  grew  less  and  less.  Suddenly  a  maiden 
darted  from  amongst  the  spectators,  and  cried, — 

"Noble  knight,  spare  my  brother  Gawain,  he  is  yet  weak 
from  the  many  wounds  he  received  in  the  magic  castle." 

"  Gawain ! "  echoed  the  stranger,  raising  his  visor,  and  dis- 
playing the  well-known  features  of  Sir  Percival. 

The  meeting  of  the  friends  was  right  joyful,  and  while  they 


PERCIVAL.  447 

talked,  another  knight  came  forward  and  asked  for  reconciliation 
and  friendship  with  the  other  two.  This  was  Gramoflans,  whc 
had  long  been  secretly  betrothed  to  the  gentle  Itonie.  But 
Gawain  knew  too  well  what  depended  on  their  combat ;  he 
knew  that  the  lady  Orgueilleuse  was  only  to  be  won  by  defeating 
this  man,  whom  she  hated.  He  laid  his  hand  upon  his  sword 
and  would  have  spoken,  but  the  great  king  drew  near  and  stopped 
him.  He  promised  on  his  word  of  honour  to  soften  the  heart 
of  the  proud  duchess,  and  bring  her  to  his  nephew.  Then  send- 
ing for  the  lady,  he  took  her  apart  and  talked  with  her,  and  his 
wisdom  and  nobleness  so  wrought  upon  her  that  her  anger  left 
her,  and  she  forgave  her  foe. 

A  few  days  afterwards  two  marriages  were  solemnized  at  the 
castle,  and  Queen  Guinevere  did  all  that  she  could  to  ensure  the 
general  happiness.  Sir  Percival  was  at  the  same  time  openly 
received  as  Knight  of  the  Round  Table  ;  but  still  he  was  not 
happy.  He  could  not  forget.  He  heard  as  distinctly  as  of  yore 
the  curse  that  the  witch  had  pronounced  against  him  ;  he  always 
saw  the  face  of  the  sufferer  Amfortas,  the  Sangreal,  and  further 
in  the  background  his  lovely  wife  and  weeping  mother.  He 
could  not  bear  it,  so  he  slipped  quietly  away  without  taking  leave 
of  the  king  or  any  one.  The  innocent  joy  of  his  friends  but 
increased  his  grief. 

He  rode  away,  a  feeling  of  almost  despair  possessing  him. 
Should  he  never  find  the  holy  Grail,  should  he  never  be  able 
to  right  the  wrong  he  had  done  so  unconsciously } 

Percival,  Trevrezent,  and  the  Grail. 

Summer  and  autumn  were  gone,  and  the  ground  was  covered 
with  snow,  when  one  evening  'Percival  saw  the  dwelling  of  a 
recluse  at  a  little  distance.  He  was  half  frozen  with  cold,  and 
so   very   weary,    that   when  he  dismounted  he   could  only   drag 


448  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

himself  with  difficulty  to  the  door.  A  tall  and  stately,  but  some- 
what haggard  man  answered  his  knock,  and  told  him  to  come 
in,  while  he  attended  to  his  horse. 

The  hermit  gave  him  food,  and  spread  a  bed  of  moss  for  him, 
and  while  resting  there,  Percival  began  to  look  about  him.  He 
saw  a  sword  with  a  richly  carved  hilt,  inlaid  with  gold,  hanging 
on  the  wall,  and  asked  to  whom  it  had  belonged.  The  hermit 
sighed  as  he  answered  that  it  had  belonged  to  him  at  the  time 
when  he  cared  for  nothing  but  glory  and  love,  and  forgot  the 
holy  Grail,  the  care  of  which  had  been  committed  to  him. 

"  For,  stranger,"  he  continued,  "  you  must  know  that  I  am 
Trevrezent,  brother  of  the  unhappy  King  Amfortas,  and  that, 
like  him,  I  devoted  my  life  to  the  pursuit  of  fleeting  pleasures. 
When  the  poisoned  lance  struck  Amfortas,  and  caused  him  the 
unspeakable  pain  that  he  still  endures,  I  laid  aside  my  sword 
and  armour  and  retired  to  this  solitary  place  that  I  might  do 
penance  for  my  own  sins,  and  perhaps  even  redeem  my  brother. 
Idle  hope !  the  sufferer  still  endures  his  agony,  and  he  that  was 
chosen  by  God  to  save  him  neglected  to  do  it,  and  has  earned 
thereby  the  curse  of  perdition  instead  of  the  glorious  place  that 
was  prepared  for  him." 

"  I  am  he  who  sinned  so  deeply,  yet  unconsciously,"  cried 
Percival,  "  but  where  is  the  justice  or  love  of  a  Being  that 
punishes  the  sin  of  ignorance  with  such  a  curse } " 

"  So  you  are  Percival,  the  son  of  my  si^ifer  Herzeleide,"  said 
Trevrezent.  "  You  found  the  way  to  the  Grail,  but  not  to 
redemption,  for  you  did  not  know  the  All-merciful,  who  only 
speaks  in  those  who  have  received  Him  into  their  hearts. 
Hearken  to  me,  and  I  will  unfold  the  wondrous  goodness  and 
love  He  has  shown  to  the  children  of  men,  that  you  may  learn 
to  endure  and  to  trust." 

Trevrezent  then  proceeded  to  tell  his  nephew  of  God's  dealings 


PERCIVAL.  449 

with  man  from  the  beginning  of  time  until  the  coming  and  death 
of  Christ,  and  to  show  him  what  lessons  might  be  learnt  there- 
from. He  afterwards  told  him  that  his  mother  had  died  of 
sorrow  not  long  after  his  departure,  and  that  in  dying  she  had 
blessed  him.  He  went  on  to  say  that  Percival  must  now  seek 
the  Sangreal  with  a  pure  heart  and  humble  mind,  trusting  in 
God,  who  knew  that  he  had  repented,  and  whose  mercy  was 
without  end. 

The  hero  remained  for  some  days  with  his  uncle,  who  strength- 
ened and  encouraged  him  to  perform  the  task  that  lay  before 
him. 

At  last,  taking  leave  of  Trevrezent,  he  departed  and  journeyed 
for  a  great  distance  without  seeing  any  trace  of  the  holy  moun- 
tain. One  day  he  met  a  knight  who  insisted  on  fighting  with 
him.  But  suddenly  in  the  middle  of  the  fray  Percival's  sword 
broke,  and  he  exclaimed  that  if  he  had  had  his  father  Gamuret's 
weapon  it  would  not  have  played  him  such  a  sorry  trick.  The 
stranger  then  questioned  him  about  Gamuret,  and  after  he  had 
heard  what  Percival  had  to  say,  he  added : 

"Then  you  and  I  are  brothers,  for  when  Gamuret  was  in 
the  East,  he  married  the  Moorish  queen ;  after  her  death  he 
returned  home  and  wedded  your  mother.  I  was  brought  up 
by  my  mother's  relations,  and  am  now  king  of  the  Moors. 
My  name  is  Feirefiss." 

So  saying  he  opened  his  visor  and  showed  Percival  a  dark, 
handsome  face. 

The  brothers  embraced  with  great  affection,  and  Percival 
said : 

"The  sword  that  Amfortas  the  sufferer  gave  me  would  not 
drink  a  brother's  blood ;  this  is  the  first  sign  that  God  has 
heard  my  prayers.  And — but  was  I  blind  ? — surely  I  know 
this   place  !      There   is  the   lake,  the   rocks  are  here — yes,  there 

F  F 


4SO  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 


is  the  road  to  the  holy  mountain.  Come,  brother,  follow  me 
up  the  steep  path  to  the  heights  above,  where  Divine  mercy- 
awaits   us." 

Both  heroes  set  out  on  their  toilsome  road  with  a  stout  heart 
and  a  willing  mind  ;  but  the  way  was  so  full  of  difficulties  that 
the  sun  was  about  to  set  before  they  reached  the  castle.  On 
their  arrival  they  were  received  like  expected  guests,  and  their 
horses — which  they  had  been  obliged  to  lead  most  of  the  way 
— were  taken  to  the  stable.  Percival  and  Feirefiss  were  con- 
ducted straight  to  the  hall,  which  was  brilliantly  lighted  with 
wax  candles.  King  Amfortas  and  his  knights  were  in  their 
usual  places.  The  squire  then  came  in  with  the  bleeding  lance, 
and  was  followed  as  before  by  the  maidens  bearing  the  cushion, 
stand,  etc.,  and  lastly,  by  the  fair  virgin,  Queen  Repanse  carrying 
the  holy  Grail. 

"Merciful  Father,  and  our  sweet  Lord  and  Saviour,"  whispered 
Sir  Percival,  "  teach  me  what  I  must  do  to  bring  redemption." 

And  it  seemed  to  him  that  an  angel  spoke  in  his  ear  the  one 
word,  "Ask!"  His  understanding  was  now  enlightened.  He 
knew  what  to  do.     Going  up  to  Amfortas  he  said  : 

"What  ails  you,  great  king.!*  and  why  are  the  halls  that  con- 
tain the  holy  Grail  filled  with  mourning  and  woe  ?  " 

The  candles  went  out,  but  the  Sangreal  spread  a  brighter 
radiance  ■  than  before  throughout  the  room,  and  on  the  side  of 
the  sacred  vessel  appeared  in  letters  of  flame,  "  Amfortas  is  cured  ; 
Percival  shall  be  king."  At  the  same  moment  soft  and  heavenly 
music  filled  the  air,  and  invisible  angels  sang  "Glory  to  God 
on  high,  and  on  earth  peace,  goodwill  to  men." 

The  hero  stood  silent,  his  heart  overflowing  with  joy  and 
thankfulness.  An  old  man  now  approached  him  with  a  firm 
step  and  dignified  mien.  He  bore  a  crown  in  his  hands,  and 
this  he  set  on  the  head  of  the  chosen  king,  saying : 


PERCIVAL.  451 


"  Hail,  Percival,  all  hail !  Long  have  we  waited  for  your 
coming,  I  am  your  great-grandfather  Titurel,  and  have  been 
called  to  make  over  to  you  the  insignia  of  the  highest  honour. 
Now  I  may  depart  in  peace.  The  days  of  my  earthly  pilgrimage 
will  soon  be  over,  and  I  shall  rest  in  the  Lord." 

Amfortas,  who  was  now  well,  and  free  from  pain,  rose  from 
his  seat,  and  greeting  Percival  with  solemn  joy,  placed  the  royal 
mantle  on  his  shoulders,  calling  on  him  to  uphold  the  right,  and 
to  punish  all  injustice  and  wrong. 

The  assembled  knights  joined  in  proclaiming  the  new  king, 
and  in  swearing  to  be  true  to  him. 

And  the  angelic  choir  sang  in  jubilant  tones  : 

"Hail  to  thee  Percival,  king  of  the  Grail  I 
Seemingly  lost  for  ever, 
Now  thou  art  blest  for  ever. 
Hail  to  thee  Percival,  king  of  the  Grail !  * 

While  Percival  stood  there,  touched  and  softened  by  all  that 
had  happened,  the  door  opened,  and  a  veiled  lady  came  in, 
followed  by  her  train.  As  he  looked  at  her  inquiringly,  she 
threw  back  her  veil,  and  showed  the  face  of  Konduiramur,  the 
wife  he  loved  so  well,  and  from  whom  he  had  so  long  been 
absent. 

It  was  strange  that  the  light  shed  by  the  holy  Grail  left  one 
man,  and  one  alone,  in  darkness.  This  was  Feirefiss,  the  Moorish 
king,  who  seemed  to  be  overshadowed  by  a  dark  cloud.  He 
asked,  whence  came  the  bright  rays  that  lighted  the  hall,  but  did 
not  fall  upon  him, 

"The  sacred  vessel,"  replied  old  Titurel,  "that  received  the 
Saviour's  blood,  only  enlightens  those  who  believe.  You  still  live 
in  the  darkness  of  unbelief,  in  the  bonds  of  the  Evil  One.  Bow 
your  head  before  Christ  the  crucified,  the  Prince  of  Light  and 
Truth,  and  your  heart  also  shall  be  enlightened." 


452  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 


The  old  man's  words  had  a  strong  effect  upon  Feirefiss,  who 
desired,  and  immediately  received,  baptism  at  the  hands  of 
Titurel ;  and  no  sooner  was  the  rite  concluded  than  he  too  could 
see  the  Sangreal,  and  was  embraced  in  the  radiance  that 
emanated  from  it. 

After  that,  Titurel  knelt  down  before  the  sacred  vessel  and 
prayed.  Having  done  this,  he  rose  from  his  knees,  and,  taking 
solemn  leave  of  all,  told  them  that  Sigune  was  now  at  rest 
Having  thus  spoken,  he  passed  out  of  the  hall,  and  was  no  more 
seen  of  them,  or  of  any  mortal  man. 

Feirefiss  remained  for  some  time  at  the  castle  on  the  holy 
mount.  While  there,  he  received  instruction  in  the  Christian 
faith,  and  when  he  went  away,  he  took  as  his  wife  the  fair  Queen 
Repanse,  to  rule  with  him  over  his  own  land.  They  had  a  son 
named  John,  who  became  a  great  warrior,  and  who  formed  a 
brotherhood,  like  that  of  the  Templars,  of  the  holy  Grail  ;  a 
brotherhood,  strong,  mighty,  enduring,  and  of  great  renown. 


LOHENGRIN. 

(loiierangrin.) 

The  Silver  Bell. 

\  -^.7^^=^-^ -':^-x'^-^-'\^'Ti:^'\sr.  J^DER  the  lead  of  Gawain  and 
'^^  "-^  "^  p2?iV--  *.  others,  and  lastly  of  Arthur 
himself,  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table  sought  in  vain  for  that 
which  lay  so  near,  yet  seemed  so  far,  because  their  dim  vision 
could  not  pierce  the  earthly  mists  that  cloud  Heaven  from  our 
view.  Some  said  that  angels  had  conveyed  the  Holy  Mountain 
farther  East,  where  it  was  guarded  by  Prester  John ;  and  that  only 
when  wild  Saracens  threatened  Christendom,  did  the  Templars 
appear  with  the  silver  dove  on  shield  and  helmet,  and  help  to  win 

453 


454  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

the  victory;  then  they  vanished,  and  none  knew  whence  they 
came  or  whither  they  went. 

Meanwhile  Percival  and  Konduiramur  lived  happily  together, 
serving  in  the  Temple  of  the  Sangreal,  and  educating  their 
children  with  the  greatest  care.  Kardeiss,  the  eldest  son,  on 
reaching  man's  estate,  was  made  ruler  over  his  mother's  kingdom 
of  Belripar,  and  over  his  patrimony  of  Waleis  and  Anjou.  The 
younger  son,  Lohengrin,  remained  at  home  with  his  parents, 
while  the  daughter,  Aribadale,  took  the  place  of  Queen  Repanse, 
and  bore  the  holy  Grail  from  the  altar  to  the  hall  and  back 
again.  It  was  long  since  any  of  the  knights  of  the  temple  had 
been  called  by  the  sound  of  the  silver  bell  to  go  out  and  fight 
against  the  unbelievers,  for  the  Saracens  had  been  completely 
conquered  by  the  Christians.  But  one  evening,  when  the  knights 
were  all  assembled  round  the  king  in  the  royal  hall,  the  silver 
bell  was  heard  apparently  at  a  great  distance,  but  coming  ever 
nearer  and  nearer.  It  sounded  like  a  cry  for  help.  At  the 
same  moment  the  announcement  appeared  on  the  sacred  vessel  in 
letters  of  flame,  that  Lohengrin  was  the  hero  chosen  by  God  to 
defend  the  rights  of  the  innocent,  and  that  he  should  be  borne 
whither  he  should  go.  In  a  boat  drawn  by  a  white  swan  with  a 
crown  upon  its  neck. 

"  Hail  Lohengrin,  chosen  of  the  Lord ! "  cried  the  knights  of 
the  temple. 

Percival  rejoiced  greatly,  and  embraced,  and  blessed  his  son, 
while  Konduiramur,  her  heart  filled  with  joy  at  Lohengrin's  high 
calling,  and  also  with  anxiety  about  his  safety,  v/ent  to  fetch  the 
armour  inlaid  with  gold  that  Amfortas  had  once  worn,  and  the 
sword  that  had  broken  during  Percival's  fight  with  his  brother 
Feirefiss,  but  which  had  since  been  re-forged  and  tempered  in  the 
sanctuary  of  the  Sangreal. 

A  squire  now  entered  the  hall,  and  announced  that  a  boat  lay 


LOHENGRIN.  455 


in  the  lake  below  the  mountain,  which  a  swan  with  a  golden  crown 
was  towing  by  a  chain  of  gold.  This  was  the  sign  that  the  hour 
of  the  young  hero's  departure  was  come.  The  king  and  queen, 
and  all  the  knights  accompanied  him  to  the  shore,  where  the  boat 
awaited  him.  As  he  was  about  to  embark,  Percival  gave  him  a 
golden  horn,  and  said  : 

"  Blow  three  times  on  this  horn  as  a  sign  that  you  have  arrived 
amongst  the  worldly-minded  children  of  men,  and  again  three 
times  to  show  that  you  are  coming  home ;  for,  if  you  are  ever 
asked  from  whence  you  came,  and  of  what  family  you  are  sprung, 
you  must  at  once  be  up  and  away  on  your  return  to  the  holy 
mountain.  This  is  the  indestructible  law  of  the  brotherhood  of 
the  Sangreal." 

Lohengrin  sprang  into  the  boat,  and  the  swan  swam  away  with 
it,  bearing  it  towards  the  sea.  The  air  was  full  of  the  softest 
strains  of  music ;  but  whether  it  was  the  swan  that  sang,  or  a 
choir  of  angels,  Lohengrin  could  not  tell.  The  music  ceased  when 
the  boat  reached  the  sea.  Its  place  was  taken  by  the  howling  of 
the  storm,  and  the  sound  of  many  waters.  When  night  came 
on,  the  young  hero  stretched  himself  in  the  bottom  of  the  boat, 
and  fell  asleep,  undisturbed  by  wind  or  waves. 

Fair-Else,  the  Duchess. 

One  day  the  youthful  Duchess  of  Brabant  had  gone  out  to  hunt. 
She  was  of  such  surpassing  beauty  that  she  was  always  called 
Fair-Else.  On  this  occasion  she  had  somehow  got  separated 
from  her  companions,  and  to  tell  the  truth,  she  was  not  at  all 
sorry,  for  she  wanted  to  have  a  little  quiet  time  for  thought ;  so 
she  threw  herself  on  the  grass  under  a  great  linden  tree,  and 
began  to  ponder  over  her  troubles.  She  had  many  lovers,  and 
would  gladly  have  got  rid  of  them  all,  especially  of  the  Count  of 
Telramund,   a   mighty   warrior   and    her   former    guardian,    who 


456  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

persisted  in  maintaining  that  her  father  had  promised  her  to  him 
oh  his  death-bed.  The  young  duchess  both  hated  and  feared  the 
count.  She  had  refused  point-blank  to  marry  him  in  spite  of  his 
threats,  and  he  now  declared  that  he  would  make  war  upon 
her,  and  would  also  bring  a  heavy  charge  against  her  before  the 
newly-elected  German  King,  Heinrich  of  Saxony.  Else  thought 
over  all  these  things  with  a  heavy  heart,  till  she  fell  asleep, 
lulled  by  the  humming  of  the  bees  and  the  soft  murmur  of  the 
wind  in  the  branches  overhead.  And  in  her  sleep  she  dreamt. 
It  was  a  strange  dream.  She  thought  that  a  youthful  hero  came 
to  her  out  of  the  wood,  and  offering  her  a  little  silver  bell,  told 
her  to  ring  it  if  ever  she  needed  assistance,  and  he  would  come 
without  delay.  It  seemed  to  her  that  she  tried  to  take  the  bell 
but  could  not,  and  in  the  effort  she  awoke.  While  puzzling  over 
the  meaning  of  her  dream,  she  became  aware  of  a  falcon  hovering 
over  her.  It  wheeled  round  her  head  several  times,  and  finally 
perched  on  her  shoulder.  Tied  round  its  neck  was  a  silver  bell 
exactly  like  the  one  she  had  seen  in  her  dream.  She  gently 
detached  the  bell  and  the  falcon  flew  away. 

Soon  after  she  returned  home,  a  messenger  arrived  to  summon 
her  before  King  Heinrich's  judgment-seat  at  Cologne  on  the 
Rhine.  She  obeyed  the  summons  with  a  heart  at  ease,  for  she 
felt  herself  in  the  keeping  of  a  Higher  Power,  and  trusted  in  the 
hope  her  dream  held  out  to  her. 

King  Heinrich  was  a  man  who  both  loved  and  exercised 
justice  ;  but  the  empire  sorely  needed  stout  defenders, — hordes 
of  wild  Hungarians  ravaged  the  south  every  year, — and  Count 
Telramund  was  a  mighty  warrior  whose  assistance  was  of  great 
value  to  him,  so  he  hoped  that  his  claims  would  be  successfully 
proved. 

The  trial  began.  Three  witnesses  were  brought  to  prove  that 
the  duchess  loved  one  of  her  vassals,  and  for  a  lady  in  her  position 


LOHENGRIN'S   ARRIVAL. 


4S8 


LOHENGRIN.  457 


to  marry  a  vassal  was  strictly  forbidden  by  the  laws  of  the  realm. 
Two  of  the  witnesses,  however,  were  declared  false  and  perjured  ; 
and  the  evidence  of  one  witness  was  not  enough.  Then  the 
count  stood  up,  and  offered  to  show  the  truth  of  his  allegation 
against  the  duchess  by  challenging  to  single  combat  any  knight 
that  the  Lady  Else  might  choose  to  defend  her  cause,  and  might 
God  show  the  right. 

The  challenge  could  not  be  refused,  but  three  days'  time  were 
allowed  her  to  find  a  champion.  Else  looked  round  the  hall  to 
see  if  any  noble  warrior  would  defend  her,  but  all  feared  the 
terrible  strength  and  skill  of  Count  Telramund.  No  one  moved  ; 
a  silence  as  of  death  reigned  in  the  court.  Then  the  maiden 
remembered  the  silver  bell.  She  drew  it  from  her  bosom  and 
rang  it,  and  the  clear  sound  that  it  gave  forth  pealed  through 
the  silent  hall,  and  passed  on  in  louder  and  louder  echoes  till  it 
was  lost  in  the  distant  mountains.  After  that  she  turned  to  the 
king  and  said  that  her  champion  should  appear  at  the  appointed 
time. 

The  three  days  were  over.  The  king  was  seated  on  his  chair  of 
state  overlooking  the  lists,  and  thoughtfully  gazed  over  the  rushing 
waters  of  the  Rhine  that  flowed  close  to  where  the  combat  was  t,o 
take  place.  His  princes  and  knights  surrounded  him,  and  before 
him  stood  Count  Telramund  in  battle  array,  and  the  fair  duchess, 
who  looked  lovelier  than  ever. 

Three  times  the  count  called  upon  the  champion  who  was  to 
defend  the  Lady  Else  to  appear.  He  received  no  answer.  All 
eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  king,  anxious  to  hear  whether  he  would 
now  pronounce  judgment  on  the  accused.  While  he  yet  hesitated, 
distant  music  was  heard  coming  over  the  Rhine.  The  sounds 
were  passing  sweet,  such  as  none  had  ever  heard  before. 
A  few  moments  later  a  boat  was  seen  approaching  the  shore, 
drawn  by  a  white  swan  with  a  golden  crown  upon  its  neck,  and  in 


46o  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

the  boat  a  knight  clad  in  rich  armour  was  lying  asleep.  As  the 
prow  touched  the  land,  he  awoke,  and  sounded  a  golden  horn 
three  times.  The  notes  echoed  across  the  river,  and  were  lost  in 
the  distance.  This  was  the  sign  that  he  accepted  the  position 
of  champion  of  innocence.  He  understood  what  was  required  of 
him,  and  disembarking,  entered  the  lists  where  his  adversary 
was  awaiting  him. 

Before  the  fight  began,  the  herald  came  forward,  and  demanded 
the  stranger's  name  and  condition. 

"  My  name  is  Lohengrin,"  answered  the  knight,  "  and  I  am  of 
royal  birth  ;  more  than  that  you  need  not  know." 

"  It  is  sufficient,"  replied  the  king  ;  "  your  patent  of  nobility  is 
written  on  your  forehead." 

The  trumpets  sounded  to  battle,  and  the  combat  began.  Telra- 
mund's  blows  fell  thick  and  fast,  and  the  stranger  knight  at  first 
contented  himself  with  standing  on  the  defensive  ;  but  suddenly 
changing  his  tactics,  he  attacked  in  his  turn,  and  with  one  blow  he 
cleft  the  count's  helmet  and  head. 

•'  God  has  decided,"  said  the  king,  "and  His  judgments  are  just. 
As  for  you,  noble  knight,  will  you  accompany  us  on  our  expedition 
against  the  wild  invaders,  and  command  the  contingent  that  the 
fair  duchess  will  send  us  from  Brabant  ?" 

Lohengrin  joyfully  accepted  the  proposal,  and  at  the  same 
moment  the  Lady  Else  came  up  and  thanked  him  for  the  great 
service  he  had  done  her.  She  had  recognised  him  from  the  first 
moment  of  his  appearance  as  the  hero  of  her  dream,  and  her  heart 
was  full  of  wonder  and  gratitude. 

On  the  journey  to  Brabant,  Lohengrin  and  Else  saw  a  great 
deal  of  each  other,  and  the  more  they  saw,  the  more  they  liked. 
In  the  castle  at  Antwerp  they  were  publicly  betrothed,  and  a  few 
weeks  later,  married. 

When   the   bridal  pair   left   the   cathedral   after   the   wedding, 


LOHENGRIN.  461 


Lohengrin  told  his  wife  that  she  must  never  question  him  as  to  the 
place  from  whence  he  came,  or  as  to  his  parentage,  for  if  she  did, 
he  must  leave  her  that  very  hour,  and  leave  her  for  ever. 

They  were  startled  out  of  their  honeymoon  by  the  king's  call  to 
arms.  Numerous  robber  hordes  from  Hungary  had  invaded  the 
land,  so  King  Heinrich  had  determined  to  collect  his  armies  at 
Cologne,  and  march  against  the  foe.  The  duchess,  like  most 
of  the  other  ladies,  went  with  her  husband  to  the  royal  city. 
There  were  many  great  warriors  amongst  the  princes  of  the  em- 
pire, and  the  ladies  used  to  talk  of  their  glorious  deeds  and  those 
of  their  ancestors  ;  but  when  Else's  husband  was  mentioned,  a 
strange  silence  would  fall  upon  the  company,  for  rumours  ran  that 
Lohengrin  was  the  son  of  a  heathen  magician,  and  that  he  had 
gained  the  victory  over  Count  Telramund  by  his  knowledge  of  the 
black  art. 


Parting. 

When  Else  heard  the  scandalous  tale,  she  was  deeply  hurt,  for 
she  knew  her  husband's  noble  nature.  She  longed  for  the  power 
of  justifying  him,  and  of  making  the  scandal- mongers  eat  their 
words,  and  reverence  her  hero.  So  full  did  she  become  of  these 
thoughts  that  she  forgot  her  husband's  warning,  and,  going  to  him 
one  day,  told  him  of  her  trouble,  and  asked  him  whose  son  he  was, 
and  whence  he  came. 

"  Dear  wife,"  he  said,  in  quiet  sorrow,  "  I  will  now  tell  you,  and 
the  king  and  all  the  princes,  what  was  hidden  and  ought  to  have 
remained  hidden  for  ever  ;  but  remember,  the  hour  of  our  parting 
approaches." 

The  hero  led  his  trembling  wife  before  the  king  and  his  nobles, 
who  were  assembled  on  the  banks  of  the  Rhine.  He  told  them  of 
his  great  father,  Percival,  and  of  his  own  coming  to  Cologne  in 


462  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

obedience  to  the  Divine  order  conveyed  to  him  by  the  holy 
Grail. 

"  I  would  fain  have  fought  the  barbarians  with  you,  noble  king," 
he  continued,  "  but  destiny  calls  me  hence.  Be  of  good  cheer — 
you  will  conquer  the  robbers,  rule  over  the  heathen,  and  win  im- 
perishable glory." 

The  hero  spoke  with  the  enthusiasm  of  an  inspired  seer,  as  he 
added  a  prophecy  of  the  wonders  time  should  unfold  regarding 
the  future  of  the  empire.  When  he  ceased,  all  present  heard  the 
same  strange  wild  melody  that  had  attended  his  coming,  but  this 
time  sad  and  slow  as  a  dirge.  It  came  nigher,  and  then  they  spied 
also  the  crowned  swan  and  the  boat. 

"  Farewell,  beloved,"  said  Lohengrin,  clasping  his  weeping  wife 
in  his  arms.  "  I  had  grown  to  love  you,  and  life  in  this  world 
of  yours,  passing  well ;  but  now  a  higher  will  than  mine  tells  me 
to  go." 

He  tore  himself  away  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  and  entering  the 
boat,  which  the  swan  had  brought  close  to  the  bank,  was  borne 
away  from  their  sight 

She  did  not  long  survive  the  parting  from  her  husband,  and 
when  she  died,  she  died  in  the  firm  conviction  that  she  was  about 
to  join  her  husband  and  see  the  holy  Grail. 

Whether  she  was  right  or  wrong,  none  of  those  about  her  could 
ever  agree. 


TRISTRAM  TEACHES  ISOLDE  TO  PLAY  THE  GUITAR. 


IV.     TRISTRAM  AND  ISOLDE. 


Trusty  Rual  and  his  Foster-Son. 

A  FURIOUS  battle  was  raging  before  the  gates  of  the  castle, 
■^  ^  for  Rivalin,  the  lord  of  the  place,  was  fighting  against 
Morgan,  his  feudal  superior,  whose  oppression  had  grown  too 
great  to  be  borne.  Within  the  castle,  Blancheflur,  Rivalin's  wife, 
was  praying  fervently  for  her  husband's  safety,  as  she  clasped  in 
her  weak  arms  her  little  son  that  had  been  born  while  the  din  of 
battle  filled  the  air. 

4«1 


464  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

All  day  long  it  lasted.  In  the  evening,  Rual,  the  marshal,  hurried 
back  into  the  castle  bleeding,  and  called  to  his  wife  to  save  what 
she  could,  and  make  ready  for  instant  flight,  for  King  Rivalin  had 
fallen,  and  the  enemy  threatened  to  blockade  the  castle.  Queen 
Blancheflur  heard  what  he  said,  and  with  a  piercing  cry  fell  back 
dead.  Rual,  seeing  that  nothing  could  be  done  for  her,  hurried 
the  other  women  in  their  preparations,  and,  heedless  of  his  own 
untended  wounds,  made  ready  to  fly  with  his  master's  child 
to  a  place  of  safety. 

But  while  they  hastened  to  obey  the  marshal,  it  was  already  too 
late — the  castle  was  surrounded,  and  no  way  of  escape  remained. 
They  carried  the  dead  queen  to  another  room,  and  the  marshal's 
wife  took  the  baby  for  her  own.  The  servants  were  all  faithful, 
and  when  Morgan  took  the  aastle  soon  afterwards,  he  never  guessed 
that  Rivalin  had  left  a  living  child.  The  victorious  king,  who 
honoured  Rual  for  his  fidelity  to  his  late  master,  made  him 
governor  of  the  kingdom  he  had  just  subdued,  and  then  went 
back  to  his  own  place. 

Time  passed  on,  and  the  foster-parents  were  delighted  with  the 
good  qualities  their  pupil  developed.  They  had  had  him  chris- 
tened Tristram,  or  Tristan  (Sorrowful),  because  of  the  sad 
circumstances  that  had  attended  his  birth.  Rual  himself  taught 
him  all  knightly  exercises,  and  got  him  tutors  to  instruct  him  in 
music,  languages,  and  many  other  accomplishments. 

One  day  some  foreign  merchants  landed  on  the  coast,  and 
offered  their  wares  for  sale.  Young  Tristram  often  went  down  to 
see  them,  and  questioned  them  about  their  country,  and  about  the 
many  strange  lands  they  visited.  The  boy's  unusual  beauty  and 
the  great  knowledge  he  possessed  aroused  their  cupidity.  They 
determined  to  steal  him,  and  sell  him  in  some  foreign  country 
where  he  would  bring  a  good  price.  So  once,  when  he  was  on 
board  their   ship,  they  quietly   raised  the    anchor,  and    set   sail. 


TRISTRAM  AND  ISOLDE.  4(^5 


Rual  pursued  them,  but  they  escaped,  owing  to  the  greater  swift- 
ness of  their  vessel.  Another  danger,  however,  threatened  to  over- 
whelm them.  A  terrific  storm  came  on,  worse  than  any  they  had 
ever  encountered  before.  They  thought  it  a  sign  of  God's  wrath, 
and  were  filled  with  fear  and  awe.  In  the  perturbation  of  their 
souls  they  swore  to  set  the  boy  free,  and  they  kept  their  word. 
They  put  him  ashore  on  an  unknown  coast,  feeling  assured  that 
with  his  uncommon  gifts  he  would  soon  make  a  livelihood.  They 
were  not  mistaken.  A  troup  of  pilgrims  happening  to  pass 
that  way,  Tristram  joined  them,  and  accompanied  them  to  the 
court  of  King  Mark  of  Cornwall.  The  king  took  the  boy  into 
his  service  as  page,  and  grew  very  fond  of  him. 

Meantime  Rual  had  sought  his  foster-son  everywhere,  and  was 
broken-hearted  at  not  being  able  to  find  him,  or  hear  any  news 
of  him.  He  wandered  from  one  country  to  another,  begging  his 
way.  At  last,  footsore  and  weary,  he  arrived  at  King  Mark's 
court.     Tristram  greeted  him  with  joy,  and  took  him  to  the  king. 

When  Mark  heard  who  the  supposed  beggar  was,  he  exclaimed 
angrily : 

"  What !  Are  you  the  former  marshal  of  the  traitor  Rivalin, 
who  stole  away  my  sister  Blancheflur } " 

"  Sire,"  replied  Rual,  "  love  made  him  do  so.  The  Lady 
Blancheflur  had  been  secretly  married  to  my  master  before  she 
went  away  from  here.  She  and  her  husband  are  both  dead,  and 
this  youth,"  laying  his  hand  on  Tristram's  shoulder,  "whom  I 
have  brought  up  from  his  infancy,  and  whom  I  have  sought  for 
years,  is  their  only  child." 

The  king  was  astonished  to  hear  this  tale,  and  was  pleased  to 
find  that  his  favourite  page  was  in  reality  his  nephew.  Rual  re- 
mained in  Cornwall  with  his  foster-son,  for,  his  wife  being  dead,  he' 
did  not  care  to  return  home,  and  again  endure  Morgan's  despotic 
sway. 

G  G 


466  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

Tristram  grew  up  to  be  a  tall  and  handsome  man,  a  brave 
warrior,  and  a  noble  knight,  as  much  beloved  in  peace  as  in  war. 
But  although  he  lived  a  full  and  joyous  life,  he  could  not  forget  his 
native  land,  and  often  mourned  over  the  thought  that  his  fellow- 
countrymen  and  rightful  subjects  groaned  under  the  tyranny  of  a 
foreign  oppressor.  He  at  last  explained  his  feelings  on  the  subject 
to  his  uncle,  who  gave  him  men  and  ships,  telling  him  to  go  and 
set  his  people  free,  but  making  him  promise  to  return  to  Cornwall 
afterwards,  as  he  had  appointed  him  to  succeed  him  on  the, 
throne. 

The  expedition  was  successful.  Morgan  was  defeated  and  slain, 
and  Tristram  was  crowned  King  of  Parmenia.  He  remained  for  a 
year  longer  in  his  native  land,  settling  all  differences,  and  arranging 
matters  for  the  good  of  his  subjects.  Having  done  this,  he  made 
Rual  governor  of  the  realm,  and  returned  to  Cornwall  as  he  had 
promised. 

Isolde  (Yseult,  Isoud). 

On  his  arrival  there,  he  found  every  one  in  great  distress.  King 
Gurmun  of  Ireland  had,  during  his  absence,  invaded  Cornwall,  and, 
with  the  help  of  his  brother-in-law  Morolt,  a  powerful  chief  and 
great  warrior,  had  subdued  the  country,  and  forced  King  Mark  to 
pay  him  tribute ;  and  a  shameful  tribute  it  was.  By  the  treaty 
with  Gurmun,  the  Cornish  king  was  bound  to  send  thirty  handsome 
boys  of  noble  birth  to  Ireland  every  year,  to  be  sold  as  slaves  for  the 
benefit  of  the  Irish  king.  On  the  very  day  of  Tristram's  return, 
Mark  was  about  to  deliver  the  thirty  boys  into  the  hands  of  grim 
Morolt,  Gurmun's  messenger,  who  had  come  to  receive  them. 

Tristram  was  veiy  angry  when  he  heard  the  news,  and  told  the 
knights  they  were  cowards  ever  to  have  consented  to  such  an 
arrangement.  Then  going  straight  to  Morolt,  he  tore  up  the 
treaty,  saying  it   was   too   inhuman    to  be   kept.     Morolt's   only 


TRISTRAM  AND  ISOLDE.  467 

answer  was  to  draw  his  sword  and  challenge  him  to  single  combat. 
He  accepted,  and  the  fight  began.  After  some  time,  Morolt, 
having  severely  wounded  Tristram,  cried  : 

"Yield,  Sir  Tristram  :  I  feel  pity  for  your  youth.  Yield,  and  my 
sister,  Queen  Isolde,  shall  cure  your  wound,  for  she  alone  can  heal 
a  wound  made  by  my  poisoned  blade." 

"Death  rather,"  exclaimed  the  young  knight,  and  making  a 
mighty  effort,  he  split  his  adversary's  head  open  from  crown  to  jaw. 

This  settled  the  matter.  The  Irish  returned  home  sadly,  bearing 
with  them  the  corpse  of  their  hero,  while  the  victor  went  back  to 
his  uncle's  palace.  His  wound  was  washed  and  bound,  but  it  would 
not  heal.  It  continued  to  fester,  in  spite  of  the  use  of  balm,  and 
other  herbs  of  well-known  excellence.  An  experienced  doctor 
who  was  called  in  to  see  the  patient,  said  that  only  the  Irish  queen 
Isolde,  and  her  daughter  of  the  same  name,  possessed  the  art  of 
drawing  such  poison  out  of  a  wound.  So  Tristram  determined  to 
go  to  Ireland  in  the  guise  of  a  minstrel,  and  seek  healing  at  the 
hands  of  the  queen,  although  he  knew  that  Gurmun  had  sworn  to 
kill  him  and  every  Cornishman  who  had  the  misfortune  to  fall  into 
his  hands. 

At  length  he  reached  the  Irish  court,  and  there  he  played  and 
sang  so  beautifully  that  the  queen  sent  for  him,  and  begged  him  to 
teach  his  art  to  her  young  daughter  Isolde.  The  minstrel  found 
the  princess  an  attentive  pupil ;  and  while  teaching  her,  and  listen- 
ing to  her  sweet  voice  as  she  sang  some  plaintive  ditty,  he  would 
even  forget  for  a  time  the  pain  of  his  wound.  And  she,  in  learning 
from  him,  learnt  to  love  him  with  all  the  strength  of  herinnocent 
young  heart. 

The  days  went  on,  and  the  pain  of  his  wound  grew  worse  and 
worse.  Then  he  told  the  queen  of  his  suffering,  and  asked  her 
to  heal  him.  This  she  at  once  consented  to  do,  and  a  few  weeks 
later  he  was  cured.     He  now  sang  with  greater  power  than  beforq, 


468  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

and  the  king  was  so  charmed  with  his  music  that  he  would  have 
liked  to  keep  him  for  ever  at  his  court.  But,  fearful  of  discovery, 
Tristram  determined  to  be  gone  while  yet  there  was  time. 

On  his  return  to  Cornwall,  he  was  joyfully  received  by  all  except 
the  great  lords,  who  foresaw  that  King  Mark  would  make  him  his 
heir,  and  they  did  not  wish  to  have  a  foreigner  to  rule  over  them. 
They  wished  the  king  to  marry,  and  Tristram,  finding  what  was  in 
their  minds,  himself  advised  his  uncle  to  choose  a  wife,  saying  that 
the  Princess  Isolde  of  Ireland  would  be  the  most  suitable  person 
for  him  to  wed.  After  some  deliberation,  it  was  agreed  that 
Tristram  should  go  to  King  Gurmun  as  his  uncle's  ambassador, 
to  ask  for  the  hand  of  the  princess. 

Arrived  in  Ireland,  he  set  out  for  the  royal  residence.  On  the 
way  he  heard  heralds  proclaiming  that  the  king  would  give  his 
daughter  in  marriage  to  whoever  slew  a  dragon  that  was  devasta- 
ting the  land,  provided  he  who  rescued  the  country  were  of  noble 
birth, 

Tristram  sought  out  the  dragon,  and,  after  a  long  struggle,  killed 
it ;  then  cutting  out  the  tongue  of  the  creature,  as  a  proof  that  he 
had  really  slain  it,  he  turned  to  go  ;  but  the  pestiferous  breath  of 
the  monster  so  overpov/ered  him,  that  he  sank  backward  into  the 
morass  out  of  which  the  dragon  had  come. 

Struggle  as  he  might,  he  could  not  free  himself,  for  he  had  sunk 
up  to  the  shoulders.  While  in  this  miserable  plight,  he  saw  a 
horseman  approach,  cut  off  the  head  of  the  dead  monster,  and 
then  ride  away. 

The  horseman  was  sewer  (head  waiter)  at  the  palace.  He  showed 
the  king  the  dragon's  head,  and  boldly  demanded  the  meed  of 
victory.  The  queen,  who  knew  the  man  well,  and  held  him  to  be 
a  coward,  did  not  believe  his  tale  ;  so  she  went  with  her  train  to 
the  dragon's  hole,  and  discovered  the  real  hero  in  the  morass.  His 
bloody  sword,  and  the  dragon's  tongue  showed  that  it  was  he  who 


TRISTRAM  AND  ISOLDE.  469 

had  done  the  deed.  He  was  quite  insensible  when  he  was  taken 
out  of  the  morass  and  carried  to  the  palace.  The  princess  at  once 
recognised  him  to  be  the  minstrel  who  had  before  visited  Ireland, 
and  hoped  that  his  birth  was  sufficiently  good  to  enable  him  to 
win  the  prize.  The  queen  gave  him  a  sleeping  potion,  and  told 
him  to  keep  quiet.  Then  taking  her  daughter  into  the  next 
room,  she  showed  her  the  horrible  tongue  of  the  lind-worm,  and 
the  sword  with  which  the  creature  was  slain. 

"Look,"  she  said,  "the  minstrel  is  the  real  hero  of  this  adventure, 
and  not  that  cowardly  sewer." 

She  left  the  room,  adding  that  the  truth  would  soon  be  known, 
Isolde  took  up  the  sword  and  examined  it.  She  saw  that  a  bit  of 
the  blade  was  broken  off. 

"  Merciful  heaven,"  she  cried,  "  surely  he  cannot  be  the " 

She  ceased,  and  took  from  a  drawer  the  splinter  of  steel  she  had 
drawn  out  of  the  wound  on  her  uncle's  head.  She  fitted  the 
splinter  to  the  blade,  and  saw  that  it  was  as  she  had  feared. 

"Ha,"  she  went  on,  trembling  with  anger,  "he  is  the  murderer  of 
my  uncle  Morolt  He  must  die,  die  by  my  hand,  and  be  slain 
with  his  own  weapon." 

Seizing  the  sword  in  a  firmer  grip,  she  went  into  the  room  where 
Tristram  was  sleeping,  and  swung  the  sword  over  his  head ;  but 
as  she  did  so,  he  smiled  as  in  a  happy  dream,  and  she  could  not 
do  the  deed.  Then  it  seemed  to  her  that  she  saw  her  uncle 
looking  at  her  reproachfully,  and  she  nerved  her  heart  to  strike, 
but  at  that  moment  her  hand  was  seized  by  her  mother,  who  had 
entered  unnoticed. 

"  Wretched  child,"  she  cried,  "  what  are  you  doing  ?    Are  you 

mad } " 

Isolde  told  the  queen  that  this  was  Tristram,  her  uncle's 
murderer  ;  and  the  mother  answered  : 

"  I  loved  my  brother  dearly,  but  I  cannot  revenge  him,  for  this 


•470  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

man  has  saved  our  people  from  the  dragon,  and  a  nation  is  worth 
more  than  a  single  man,  however  dear  to  our  hearts." 

Isolde  confessed  that  her  mother  was  right,  and  let  her  resent- 
ment die. 

When  Tristram  had  recovered,  he  did  not  show  the  dragon's 
tongue  in  proof  of  what  he  had  done,  but  challenged  the  sewer 
to  trial  by  combat.  Now  the  man  had  often  fought  before,  but 
when  he  saw  Tristram  come  forth  to  meet  him  in  the  lists,  his 
heart  died  within  him,  and  he  confessed  his  guilt.  King  Gurmun 
thereupon  ordered  the  recreant  knight's  shield  to  be  broken,  and 
sent  him  forth  a  banished  man. 

Tristram  then  fetched  the  dragon's  tongue,  and  was  at  once 
proclaimed  victor  amid  the  acclamation  of  the  people. 

Great  was  the  astonishment  of  all,  when  Tristram,  instead  of 
claiming  the  princess'  hand,  proceeded  to  woo  her  for  his  uncle 
King  Mark,  of  Cornwall.  Gurmun  had  such  a  dislike  to  King 
Mark  that  he  would  have  refused  him  as  a  son-in-law  point-blank, 
if  Queen  Isolde  had  not  taken  part  in  the  debate,  and  shown  the 
wisdom  of  giving  way.  So  Tristram  received  a  gracious  answer 
from  the  king,  and  was  content.  No  one  thought  of  asking  the 
maiden  if  she  were  willing  to  marry  the  old  king  of  Cornwall. 
She  was  a  princess,  and  princesses  were  never  allowed  a  choice, 
when  reasons  of  State  demanded  that  they  should  marry  some 
particular  person. 

The  Love-potion. 

The  princess  went  on  board  Tristram's  vessel,  which  was  about 
to  sail  for  Cornwall.  Her  dresses  and  jewels  were  there  also,  and 
as  soon  as  her  old  nurse  and  faithful  companion  came  down  to  the 
ship,  they  were  to  set  sail.  Brangane  was  closeted  with  the  queen, 
who  wished  to  say  a  few  last  words  in  private. 
.   "  Look,  Brangane,"  said  the  mother,  "  take  this  goblet,  and  keep 


TRISTRAM  AND  ISOLDE.  471 


it  carefully.  It  contains  a  drink  made  of  the  expressed  juices  of 
certain  plants,  and  is  a  love-potion.  See  that  my  daughter  and 
her  husband  both  drink  it  on  their  marriage  day,  and  all  will  yet 
be  well." 

The  nurse  promised  to  be  careful,  and  took  leave  of  the  queen. 

Wind  and  weather  were  favourable  to  the  voyagers.  One  day 
when  Tristram  had  been  singing  and  playing  to  the  princess  for 
a  long  time,  and  trying  his  best  to  distract  her  thoughts  from 
dwelling  on  her  dead  uncle,  her  old  home,  and  the  unknown  future, 
he  became  so  thirsty  that  before  beginning  another  song  he  was 
fain  to  ask  for  something  to  drink.  One  of  the  attendants  opened 
a  cupboard,  and  finding  there  a  goblet  with  a  drink  all  ready 
prepared,  supposed  that  the  nurse  had  made  it  in  case  it  were 
wanted,  and  took  it  to  Tristram,  who  handed  the  cup  first  to 
Isolde  that  she  might  pledge  him,  as  was  the  custom.  The 
princess  raised  the  cup  to  her  lips  and  drank  a  little ;  but  finding 
it  very  good,  she  put  it  to  her  lips  again,  and  drank  half  the 
contents.  Then  she  returned  it  to  Tristram,  who  finished  it  at 
a  draught. 

Their  eyes  met,  and  they  knew  that  they  loved  each  other. 

When  Brangane  came  in  a  few  minutes  later,  and  saw  the  empty 
goblet  upon  the  table,  she  burst  into  tears,  and  bemoaned  what  had 
occurred,  saying  that  the  queen  had  given  her  the  love-potion 
to  administer  to  Isolde  and  King  Mark  upon  their  wedding-day. 
But  the  princess  comforted  her  by  asserting  that  no  harm  was 
done,  for  human  beings  had  free  will,  and  could  struggle  against 
enchantment     And  struggle  they  did  ;  but  their  love  was  strong. 

The  ship  reached  the  harbour,  and  King  Mark  came  down  to 
meet  his  nephew  and  his  bride.  He  was  much  pleased  with  the 
appearance  of  the  princess,  whom  he  welcomed  with  all  ceremony 
the  marriage  took  place,  and  King  Mark  thought  himself  a  happy 
man. 


472  ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 

All  went  on  quietly  for  some  time,  so  carefully  did  the  nurse 
conceal  her  lady's  love  for  Sir  Tristram  ;  but  after  a  time  people 
began  to  whisper,  and  at  length  the  whisper  reached  the  ears  of 
the  king.  At  first  he  would  not  believe  the  truth  of  what  he 
heard,  but  afterwards  the  thing  was  proved  to  him  so  clearly  that 
he  could  no  longer  doubt.  He  determined  to  bring  the  lovers  to 
trial.  Meanwhile  Brangane  had  discovered  that  the  king  knew 
^11 ;  she  therefore  warned  Tristram,  and  fled  into  the  forest  with 
him  and  Isolde.  There  they  hid  themselves  in  a  cave  for  a  long 
time.  But  winter  was  coming  on,  and  the  nurse  feared  for  her 
darling's  life  if  she  remained  in  such  a  place  during  the  frost  and 
snow. 

One  day  as  they  were  talking  over  what  were  best  to  be  done, 
King  Mark  suddenly  appeared  amongst  them.  Brangane  stepped 
forward,  and  assured  him  that  the  stories  that  he  had  been  told 
were  all  gossip ;  and  the  king,  who  loved  both  Tristram  and 
Isolde,  willingly  believed  her,  and  took  them  home  with  him. 

But  the  effect  of  the  philter  had  not  yet  passed  off,  nor  had  the 
young  people  conquered  their  love.  Whispers  again  arose  about 
the  court,  and  Tristram  could  not  call  any  of  the  whisperers  to 
account,  for  he  knew  that  he  had  dishonoured  the  name  of  knight, 
and  had  ill  repaid  his  uncle's  kindness.  Isolde,  too,  was  miserable. 
They  both  made  up  their  minds  that  they  must  part,  and  as  they 
said  farewell,  it  was  with  the  fervent  hope  that  the  magic  potion 
would  have  lost  its  power  by  the  time  they  met  again. 

Tristram  went  away.  He  wandered  through  Normandy  and 
Alemannia ;  he  fought  many  battles,  and  led  a  bold,  adventurous 
life,  but  he  could  not  forget  Isolde.  At  last  he  came  to  the 
kingdom  of  Arundel,  and  there  he  found  King  Jovelin  and  his  son 
Kaedin  hiding  in  a  thatched  cottage  in  a  great  forest,  from  the 
bands  of  robbers  who  had  overrun  the  land.  It  was  late  in 
the  evening  when  he  arrived  at  the  solitary  house,  where  he  met 


TRISTRAM  AND  ISOLDE.  473 


with  a  kind  reception.  The  lovely  daughter  of  his  host,  curiously 
enough,  was  also  named  Isolde,  to  which  was  added  the  appellation 
of  "  la  blanche  mains."  It  did  him  good  to  be  with  the  maiden 
and  her  father.  He  promised  them  his  aid,  and  for  this  purpose 
went  to  visit  his  own  kingdom.  There  he  found  his  presence 
much  wanted,  for  old  Rual  was  dead,  and  all  was  confusion  in 
the  land.  His  first  action  was  to  re-establish  order  and  good 
government,  after  which  he  called  out  his  troops,  and  marched 
to  Arundel  to  help  King  Jovelin.  He  fought  the  robbers  there, 
chased  them  out  of  the  land,  replaced  the  king  on  his  throne,  and 
made  friends  with  Kaedin,  Weeks  passed,  and  he  became  en- 
gaged to  Isolde  of  the  white  hand.  He  vainly  hoped  that  being 
married  to  another  woman  would  cure  him  of  his  love  for  the 
Queen  of  Cornwall,  and  he  knew  that  the  princess  loved  him. 

His  betrothal  did  not  bring  him  peace.  His  affection  for  the 
Lady  Isolde  grew  no  stronger,  so  in  despair  he  put  off  his 
marriage,  and,  unable  to  feign  a  love  he  did  not  feel,  went  out 
to  seek  death  at  the  hands  of  the  robber  hordes  that  had  again 
invaded  the  country.  He  conquered  them,  and  forced  them  to  fly. 
On  his  return  from  this  expedition,  his  marriage  day  was  fixed  ; 
but  one  evening  he  was  induced  to  accompany  his  friend  Kaedin 
on  a  dangerous  adventure,  and  during  the  combat  to  which  this  led, 
he  received  a  spear  thrust  in  the  breast.  He  fell  senseless  to  the 
ground.  Kaedin  carried  him  out  of  the  fight,  and  took  him  home 
to  the  palace,  where  Isolde  succeeded  in  bringing  him  to  himself 
again. 

Every  one  hoped  that  he  would  soon  recover  from  his  wound  ; 
but  instead  of  that  he  grew  worse.  One  day  he  said  that  the 
Queen  of  Cornwall  had  a  remedy  that  would  cure  him,  if  she 
could  only  be  induced  to  bring  it  Kaedin  at  once  set  off  for 
Cornwall  to  appeal  to  her  compassion.  No  sooner  had  the  queen 
heard  his  tale  than  she  persuaded  King  Mark  to  let  her  go  to 


474 


ARTHUR  AND  THE  HOLY  GRAIL. 


Arundel,  and  cure  his  nephew.  Armed  with  his  permission,  she 
started  on  her  long  journey  by  sea  and  land,  and  never  rested 
till  she  arrived  at  King  Jovelin's  palace.  There  she  was  greeted 
with  the  sad  words,  "You  have  come  too  late — he  is  dying." 
They  led  her  to  his  couch,  and  she  knelt  down  and  took  his 
hand.  A  slight  pressure  showed  that  he  knew  who  she  was  ; 
next  moment  he  opened  his  eyes,  gazed  at  her  with  a  sad  and 
loving  look,  and  then  died.  She  bent  over  him  and  kissed  him, 
and  in  that  kiss  her  spirit  passed  away.  They  were  buried  three 
days  later  under  the  same  grave-mound  in  the  distant  land  of 
Arundel. 


TANNHAUSER   BETWEEN   ECKHARD  AND  VENUS. 


LEGEND  OF  TANNHAUSER. 
Tannhauser  in  Trouble. 
/^NE  evening  when  the  noble  knight  Tannhauser  was 
^-^  sitting  in  a  miserable  wayside  inn,  grumbling  over  the 
fate  that  had  made  him  a  poor  man  instead  of  a  prince,  he  was 
startled  by  a  loud  knocking  at  the  door.  He  felt  a  moment's 
terror  lest  it  should  be  the  bailiffs  come  to  arrest  him  for  debt ; 
but  instead  of  that,  it  was  his  good  lord,  Duke  Friedrich  of 
Babenberg,  who  ruled  the  rich  Danubian  land  of  Austria. 


476  LEGEND  OF  TANNHAUSER. 

The  duke  chid  the  young  man  for  his  debts  and  follies,  and 
then,  giving  him  a  purse  full  of  gold,  desired  him  to  return  to 
court,  where  his  music  and  society  were  much  missed. 

So  Tannhauser  once  more  returned  to  court,  and  took  part  in 
the  gay  doings  there.  He  also  aided  his  liege  lord  in  many  a 
great  battle  waged  against  the  enemies  of  the  realm.  He  was 
a  great  favourite  of  his  master,  both  because  of  his  gift  of  song, 
and  because  of  his  bravery.  So  Friedrich  gave  him  the  fair 
estate  of  Leopoldsdorf,  near  Vienna,  as  well  as  a  large  sum  of 
money. 

The  Hohenstaufens,  too,  looked  upon  him  favourably,  both  the 
Emperor  Frederick  H.,  and  his  son  Konrad,  who  ruled  in 
Germany  after  him.  The  minstrel  received  many  gifts  at  their 
hands,  and  was  devoted  to  their  service. 

But  although  large  sums  were  thus  continually  passing  into  his 
coffers,  he  was  always  in  debt.  In  course  of  time  his  patron  the 
Duke  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  the  Leitha.  He  mourned  him 
deeply,  and  wrote  a  number  of  beautiful  songs  in  memory  of  the 
man  who  had  been  so  kind  to  him.  But  at  length  his  poetic  soul 
began  to  turn  with  more  pleasure  to  cheerful  themes,  so  he  collected 
what  little  remained  of  his  wealth,  and,  setting  out  in  the  bright 
summer  days,  he  wandered  from  castle  to  castle,  and  from  town 
to  town,  sometimes  hungry,  sometimes  happy,  as  he  was  ill  or 
well  received.  He  travelled  through  Bavaria,  and  remained  some 
time  at  Nurnberg,  where  song  was  loved  and  studied  ;  and  after 
that  he  crossed  the  Alps  into  Italy.  At  Pavia,  he  made  the 
acquaintance  of  a  German  knight,  who  was  much  drawn  to  the 
fascinating  minne-singer,  and  he,  in  his  turn,  to  the  knight's  fair 
daughter,  Kunigunde.  The  old  knight,  on  being  asked  for  his 
daughter's  hand,  replied  that  he  liked  Tannhauser  very  much,  and 
would  give  him  his  daughter  willingly  if  he  had  the  wherewithal 
to  support  her.     Minstrelsy  was   all  very  well,  he  added,  but  it 


LEGEND   OF  TANNHAUSER. 


477 


would  not  keep  a  family  in  bread  and  butter.  "  You  have  both 
your  sword  and  your  harp  to  trust  to,"  he  concluded  with  a  smile ; 
"  go,  and  make  enough  money  to  set  up  house,  and  then  I  will 
give  you  Kunigunde." 

Tannhauser  took  leave  of  his  lady-love,  promising  to  return  in 
a  year  with  the  needful  ducats ;  and  he  fully  intended  to  keep  his 
promise. 

Klingsohr  and  Trusty  Eckhard. 

He  rode  away  sad  at  heart  ;  but  the  weather  was  so  beautiful, 
and  the  birds  were  singing  so  gaily,  that  he  could  not  remain  sad 
long.  He  sang  wherever  he  could  get  an  audience,  but  sweet 
and  joyous  as  was  the  music  he  made,  it  brought  him  no  gold. 
He  therefore  tried  what  his  sword  could  do  for  him,  and  fought 
under  the  banner  of  King  Konrad,  against  his  rival  Heinrich 
Raspe,  the  *' pope's  king,"  thereby  helping  to  win  the  battle  of 
Ulm.  He  was  handsomely  rewarded  for  his  assistance.  Then  he 
went  back  to  Italy,  and  fought  there  also  for  the  Hohenstaufens, 
for  which  service  he  was  richly  paid.  Once,  soon  after  this,  he 
sought  and  found  shelter  for  the  night  in  a  castle  where  many 
knights  were  assembled.  After  supper  he  delighted  every  one 
with  his  minstrelsy.  But  immediately  after  he  had  ceased  to 
sing,  a  stranger  came  in,  dressed  in  black  garments  embroidered 
with  gold,  and  wearing  black  feathers  in  his  cap.  He  had  a  harp 
in  his  hand,  and,  seating  himself,  began  to  play  and  sing  in  a 
deep,  powerful,  and  yet  melodious,  voice.  His  song  was  strange 
and  eerie  in  its  effect.  The  guests  all  glanced  at  each  other  in 
silence  when  it  was  done.  They  felt  ill  at  ease,  they  knew  not 
why. 

Tannhauser,  throwing  off  the  unaccountable  feeling  that 
possessed  him,  caught  up  his  harp,  and  sang  a  merry  ditty  about 
woods  and  birds  and  flowers,  and   soon   both  he  and  the  other 


478  LEGEND  OF  TANNHAUSER. 

guests  were  restored  to  their  usual  cheerfulness.  After  that,  they 
all  began  to  play  at  dice.  Tannhauser  won  large  sums,  and  lost 
them  again  immediately  to  the  black  stranger,  and  not  only  these, 
but  some  of  the  money  he  had  put  aside  for  his  marriage. 

The  next  day,  when  he  left  the  castle,  the  stranger  went  with 
him,  remained  with  him  all  day,  and  before  night  fell,  had  won  all 
his  money  from  him.  Seeing  how  sad  Tannhauser  looked,  the 
stranger  laughed,  and  said  : 

"  Do  not  pull  such  a  long  face  over  so  small  a  matter  as  the 
loss  of  a  few  gold  pieces,  but  come  with  me  to  Wartburg  ; 
Landgrave  Hermann  has  summoned  a  minstrel  tournament  to 
meet,  in  which  the  prizes  are  lands  and  wealth,  but  he  who  fails 
will  lose  his  head.  My  name  is  Klingsohr,  and  I  come  from 
Hungary.  I  am  willing  to  enter  into  an  alliance  with  you.  Youi 
songs  are  like  the  bliss  of  heaven  ;  mine,  like  the  horrors  of  hell, 
If  we  are  successful,  you  may  have  the  wealth — I  shall  take  the 
heads ;  if,  on  the  other  hand,  we  lose,  we  shall  go  together  to 
heaven  or  hell ;  what  does  it  matter  which  ?  You  shudder  like 
a  weakling  to  hear  me  talk  thus,  for  you  believe  the  tales  the 
priests  tell  you  about  fire  and  brimstone  ;  but  instead  of  that,  it 
is  the  realm  of  Dame  Venus,  who  gives  her  friends  the  most 
exquisite  pleasures  earth  can  afford,  and  both  silver  and  gold 
in  abundance.  If  you  do  not  care  for  the  minstrel  tournament, 
you  can  visit  the  fair  queen  on  the  road  to  Wartburg,  for  she  lives 
in  the  Horselberg,  which  we  shall  have  to  pass  at  any  rate." 

Tannhauser  listened  to  his  companion  with  a  shudder ;  but 
when  he  went  on  to  describe  the  unspeakable  glories  of  the 
Horselberg,  and  to  tell  of  the  marvellous  charms  of  the  queen, 
he  felt  a  growing  desire  to  see  Dame  Venus  with  his  own  eyes. 
So  he  set  out  with  his  strange  companion,  forgetting,  or  nearly 
forgetting,  Kunigunde,  and  his   love  for  her. 

When  the  travellers  approached  the  mountains  of  Thuringia 


LEGEND   OF  TANNHAUSER.  479 


they  were  joined  by  a  tall  and  stately  man  in  full  armour, 
with  his  sword  at  his  side,  and  a  white  staff  in  his  hand. 
As  they  walked  on  together,  they  exchanged  confidences  as  to 
who  they  were,  and  from  whence  they  came.  The  new-comer 
said  : 

"People  call  me  the  faithful  Eckhard,  the  Harlungs'  comfort, 
for  I  took  care  of  the  noble  youths  for  many  years ;  but,  alas ! 
wicked  Ermenrich,  and  his  evil  counsellor  Sibich,  slew  them 
in  my  absence,  and  all  I  could  do  was  to  aveng*  their  death." 

"The  Harlungs,  Ermenrich,  Sibich,"  repeated  Tannhauser 
thoughtfully,  "  it  must  have  been  long  ago." 

"  Three  or  four  hundred  years  or  even  more  may  have  passed 
since  then,"  answered  Eckhard.  "  I  find  it  difficult  to  reckon 
time  after  the  manner  of  men  ;  but  ever  since  those  old  days 
I  have  been  busily  employed  in  warning  people  away  from 
the  Venus  Mount." 

Klingsohr  burst  out  laughing,  and  cried,  "  Spare  your  words, 
old  fool ;  so  you  are  one  of  the  idiots  who  blaspheme  Dame 
Venus." 

" Get  thee  behind  me,  tempter,"  said  Eckhard ;  "I  am  going 
to  take  the  good  knight  to  the  Wartburg,  where  he  may  win 
glory  and  wealth." 

"And  I  am  going  on  to  prepare  his  lodging  in  our  queen's 
palace,"  answered  the  other,  as  he  set  off  at  a  brisk  pace  towards 
the  mountains. 

The  minstrel  and  Eckhard  continued  their  way  quietly,  talking 
the  while.  At  last  they  came  to  the  beautiful  Horselthal,  with 
its  meadows,  trees,  and  rushing  stream,  and,  a  little  farther  on, 
to  a  bleak  mountain,  out  of  which  came  a  confused  sound  as 
of  waves  beating  a  rock-bound  coast,  the  roar  and  clatter  of 
a  water-mill,  human  cries  of  rage,  and  the  howling  of  wild 
beasts. 


48o  LEGEND  OF  TANNHA'USER. 

"That  is  the  Horselberg,"  said  Eckhard,  "the  place  where 
Dame  Venus  holds  her  court,  with  the  wicked  who  are  under 
her  dominion.  Keep  thine  eyes  and  ears  both  shut,  lest  the 
temptress  entangle  thee  in  her  net." 


Dame  Venus. 

The  nearer  the  travellers  came  to  the  mountain,  the  more 
the  confused  and  discordant  sounds  they  had  at  first  heard 
resolved  themselves  into  harmony.  Through  a  door  in  the 
rock  they  could  see  knights,  beautiful  women,  and  dwarfs.  All 
seemed  to  be  enjoying  themselves  to  the  utmost.  At  the  entrance 
sat  a  fair  woman  in  royal  robes.  The  moment  she  saw  Tann- 
hauser,  she  smiled,  and  sigfned  to  him  to  approach.  Eckhard 
in  the  same  moment  entreated  him  by  all  he  held  sacred  to 
beware  of  the  temptress,  who  was  outwardly  like  an  angel  of 
light,  but  inwardly  a  fiend  incarnate.  He  would  have  said  more, 
but  Venus  interrupted  him  by  beginning  to  sing  a  wondrous 
song  about  all  the  joys  that  awaited  those  who  entered  her 
kingdom  ;  and  Tannhauser,  as  thoroughly  enchanted  as  though 
a  magic  spell  had  been  cast  over  him,  thrust  Eckhard  aside, 
and  hastened  to  .the  queen  of  beauty,  who  stretched  out  her 
arms  towards  him.  She  half  drew  him  over  the  threshold,  and 
he  half  staggered  across.  Then  the  door  shut,  and  the  faithful 
Eckhard  saw  him  no  more. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  describe  all  the  wonders  and  delights 
that  greeted  the  eyes  and  ears  of  the  lost  knight  Every  day 
brought  new  pleasures,  which  he  enjoyed  to  the  utnriost  But 
at  length  he  began  to  tire  of  it,  and  confessed  to  himself  that 
satiety  was  not  happiness.  He  had  a  horror  of  himself,  and 
of  the  self-indulgent  life  he  was  leading ;  and  his  conscience, 
once  awake,  left  him  no  peace.     After  an  inward  struggle,  he 


LEGEND  OF  TANSHAUSER.  481 

made  up  his  mind  to  go  and  seek  out  a  pious  priest,  tell  him 
all,  and  entreat  him  to  show  him  how  he  might  gain  absolu- 
tion. 

Tannhauser  felt  much  happier  when  he  had  formed  this  reso- 
lution. He  went  to  Queen  Venus,  and  asked  her  to  let  him 
go.  At  first  she  refused,  and  then  consented,  saying  that  he 
might  come  back  to  her  if  he  did  not  find  what  he  was  going 
away  to  seek.  So  he  went  out  into  the  sweet  fresh  air,  which 
was  so  pure  that  it  almost  took  his  breath  away  for  the  first 
few  minutes.  Then  he  went  on  his  way  with  much  foreboding  : 
should  he,  or  should  he  not,  find  a  priest  who  could  help  him  } 

He  told  his  tale  to  priests,  abbots,  and  bishops,  but  they 
one  and  all  declared  that  they  could  not  help  him,  that  the 
Holy  Father  at  Rome  was  the  only  person  on  earth  who  had 
power  to  absolve  a  sinner  who  had  had  dealings  with  the  powers 
of  the  under-world. 

He  went  to  Rome,  and  confessed  all  his  sin  and  sorrow  to 
the  Pope,  whom  he  found  walking  in  the  garden,  and  awaited 
the  answer  of  his  Holiness  with  a  broken  and  a  contrite  heart. 
But  the  Pope  replied  with  harsh  voice  and  unbending  brow: 

•'  You  are  an  adherent  of  the  cursed  race  of  Hohenstaufen ; 
you  have  dwelt  among  the  lost  spirits  in  hell,  and  have  been 
one  with  them :  I  tell  you  plainly  that  God  can  no  more 
pardon  you  than  this  dry  stick  can  put  forth  leaves  and  flowers"; 
so  saying,  he  thrust  his  gold-headed  walking-stick  into  the  ground, 
and  walked  away  leaving  it  there. 

Tannhauser  then  exclaimed  in  his  misery,  "  What  shall  I  do  .> 
The  high-priest  of  the  Lord  has  cast  me  off,  heaven  is  closed 
against  me,  and  men  will  have  nought  to  do  with  me." 

At  this  moment  an  unknown  voice  broke  in,  "  There  is  a 
higher  than  this  priest,  even  He  whose  dwelling  is  in  heaven,  and 
He  that  came  to    redeem   men   from  their  sins,  and   who  said, 

H  H 


482 


LEGEND   OF  TANNHAUSER. 


'  Come  unto  Me,  all  ye  that  are  weary  and  heavy  laden,  and 
I  will  give  you  rest.' " 

Tannhauser  started  when  he  heard  himself  thus  addressed,  and, 
turning  round,  beheld  the  faithful  Eckhard. 

"  Alas,"  he  answered,  "  it  is  too  late ;  I  cannot,  dare  not,  pray 
any  more.  I  will  now  return  to  Dame  Venus,  and  the  pleasures 
she  offers  me." 

So  he  went  back  to  the  Horselberg  in  spite  of  Eckhard's 
entreaties  ;  for  he  was  utterly  hopeless. 

Now  it  came  to  pass,  three  days  after,  that  the  Pope  again 
walked  in  his  garden,  and  behold,  the  walking-stick  which  he 
thrust  into  the  ground  had  taken  root,  and  put  forth  leaves 
and  blossoms.  The  sight  filled  him  with  amazement,  and  he 
remembered  the  words  of  the  Saviour :  "  Be  ye  also  merciful, 
even  as  your  Father  in  heaven  is  merciful."  And  he  sent  out 
messengers  in  search  of  Tannhauser ;  but  he  could  not  be  found, 
for  he  had  returned  to  Dame  Venus 


INDEX. 


Aachen,  396,  400,  407. 

Adehart,  son  of  Haymon,  v.   Children  of 

Haymon. 
Aelfrich  (Alberich),  59. 
Africa,  400,  401. 
Aix-laChapeile,  v.  Aachen, 
Alberich,  Dwarf,  55,  59-i>i,  109,  236,  256. 
Alboin,  A9-27. 
Aldarich,  21. 
Alemannia,  472. 
Alicon,  412. 
Alischanz,  412. 
Alise,  Princess,  415,  417. 
Allfather,  353,  v.  also  Odin,  Wodan. 
Allthing  (assembly),  359. 
Alphart  of  Aquitaine,  203,  209,  216,  217-9. 
Alps,  476. 

Amelolt,  203,  206,  208,  216. 
Amelungs,   the,    82-135,   208,    214,   216, 

222,  224,  277,  294,  295,  296,  304. 
Amfortas,  King,  425,  426,  441,  447,  448, 

449.  450.  454- 
Ancona,  200. 
Anjou,  454. 
Antwerp,  460. 
Anzius,  Emperor,  82. 
Apollo,  69. 
Apulia,  58,  397. 
Aquitaine,  213,  412. 
Arabella,  410,  41 1. 
Ardennes,  Forest  of,  392. 
Aribadale,  454. 
Arnold,  50-54. 
Aron,  146. 
Arthur,  King,  Legends  of,  419-82 ;  427, 

428,  430,  431,  432,  438,  439,  446,  453. 
Arundel,  472,  473. 
Aspilian,  192. 
Asprian,  49. 
Attila,  King,  v.  Etzel. 
Auda,  398,  400,  401,  407. 
Audoin,  20. 
Austria,  475. 
Avars,  20,  367. 
Avignon,  411. 
A  went  rod,  192,  196. 
Aya,  372,  373,  380,  381,  393,  394,  395. 
Aymon,  v.  Haymon. 

Babenberg,  475. 
Babylon,  402. 
Badhilda,  157, 
Balduin,  404,  405,  406. 


Baldur,  241,  273,  276,  304. 

Balian,   Castle,    TO7,   308,    312,  313,  314, 

316,318. 
Baligan,  King,  103,  104. 
Baligant,  Caliph,  402,  406. 
Balikan,  Emir,  41c. 
Balmung    (Sword),    236,    267,    269,    283, 

296,  297,  298,  299,  304,  305. 
Bari,  28,  49. 
Basilistum,  50-54. 
Bavaria,  280,  476. 
Bayard  (Horse),  370,  371,  373,   374,   376, 

382,    383,    385,   387,  393,    394,   395. 
Beaurepart,  Monastery  of,  385. 
Bechelaren,  189,  208,  212,  281,   291,  292, 

293,  303,  304,  V.  also  Riidiger. 
Belt,  Magic,  176. 
Belripar,  433,  434,  454. 
Berchtung,  Duke  of  Pola,    29-54,   83-92, 

93,  112,  113,  114,  205,  206,  208. 
Bee-wolf,  v.  Beowulf. 
Beowulf,  347-364- 
Berillus,  419. 
Bern  (Verona),  123,   124,    158,   160,   163, 

169,  172,  174,  181,  189,  190,    195,   199, 

201,  203,  204,  206,  207,  208,  216,  223. 
Berserker,  313. 
Bertha,  400. 
Biterolf,  171,  172,  189. 
Black  Forest,  280. 
Blancheflur,  463,  464,  465. 
Blaive,  407. 

Blodelin,  285,  286,  287. 
Bogen,  88,  89,  91,  113. 
Bolfriana,  198. 
Boswilde,  I57' 
Brabant,  460. 
Brangane,  470,  471,  472. 
Bravalla,  Battle  of,  357. 
Breisach,  1 14,  201,  202. 
Breisgau,  201. 
Breka,  350,  351. 
Brosing  Treasure,  354. 
Brunhild,  234,  235,  251,  253-73,  275,  304. 

305.  306. 
Brunstein,  122. 
Bulgaria,  82. 
Burgundians,  210,  212,  213,  256,  258,  269, 

270,  272,  276,  279-99. 
Burgundy,  186,   191,  209,  237,  238,  241, 

257,  261,  266,  271,  273,  284,   292,  305, 

397-  ,      „ 
Duchess  of,  398 


481 


484 


INDEX. 


Cap  of  Darkness,  176,  246. 

Cappadocia,  419. 

Carolingian  Legends,  367-418. 

Cassian,  331,  345. 

Catalonia,  425. 

Caucasus,  182. 

Ceres  (River),  400. 

Clarissa,  380,  384,  385,  386,  391,  395,  425. 

Chalons,  Count  of,  384,  385. 

Charlemagne,  27,  367,  372,  376,  382,  383, 
384,  386,  387,  391,  392,  393,  394,  395, 
396,  398.  399,  402,  406,  407,  408,  409. 

Children  of  Haymon,  367-96. 

Chriemhild,  237,  238-99,  300. 

Cologne,  162,  396,  456,  461. 

Conduiraniur,  v.  Konduiramur. 

Constantine,  30-54. 

Constantinople,  27,  30,  49,  82,  87,  89,  90, 
91,  HI,  112. 

Cornwall,  465,  466,  468,  470,  473. 

Cumberland,  430. 

Dankrat,  238,  252,  254,  285,  287,  288,  295. 
Danube,  189,  277,  280. 
Denmark,  315. 
Diebolt,  40a 
Dietelinde,  281,  304. 
Dieter  the  Harlung,  201. 
Dietherbernet,  226.  [207,  213. 

Dietleib  of  Styria,   169-78,   179,  189,  205, 
Dietmar,  122,  201. 
Dietmarsch,  315,  321. 
Dietrich  of  Bern,  52,   135-226,  277,  281, 
286,  288,  291,  293,  294,  295,  296,  297, 

300.  303-  304- 
Dietwart,  125. 
Dordo(g)ne,  401,  407. 
Dortmund,  396. 
Drachenfels,  198. 
Drachenstein,  243-52. 
Drusian,  98-IOI. 
Durindart  (Sword),  404,  405. 
Duringen  (Thuringiaj,  289. 

Eadgils,  358,  359. 

Eanmund,  358,  359. 

Ecke,  162,  163,  164. 

Eckehart,    114,    186,    189,   20I,  202,    203, 

206,  219,  223,  224. 
Ecke-sax  (Sword),  164,  168. 
Eckewart,  238,  272. 
Edgar,  192. 
Eigel,  157,  15a 

Eigoland,  King,  400,  401,  402,  409. 
Ektheov,  349. 
Elias  (Ylyas),  56. 
Eligas  (Ylyas),  56. 
Elizabeth,  419. 
Else,  V.  Fair-Else. 
Elsung  of  Bern,  123,  222. 


Engel,  King,  245,  247,  248,  251. 

Erka  ('Herka),  193. 

Ermenrich,  Emperor,  169,  170,    197,    198, 

199-208,  213,  216,  223,  277,  479. 
Elzel,  King,   172,   189,    190,    19 1-7,  208, 

209-22,  274-306. 
Etzelburg,  275,  277,  281,  286,  291,  300,  304. 

Fair-Else,  455-61. 

Falcon  (Horse),  154,  220. 

Falkalone,  384. 

Feirefiss,  449,  450,  451,  452,  454. 

Flammberg  (Sword),  373,  376,  385. 

France,  409,  411. 

Franks,  209,  210,  405,  406,  408. 

Frederick,  Duke  of  Babenberg,  475,  476. 

Prince,  200,  216. 

Freya,  235,  270,  304,  v,  also  Frigga. 

Friedburg,  198. 

Frigga,  25,  v.  also  Freya. 

Frimutel,  424,  425. 

Friesland,  192,  315,  321,  357. 

Fritele,  1 14,  201,  202. 

Fritilaburg,  169,  198. 

Frute,  the  Wise,  315,  316,  318,  328,  329. 

Furious  Host,  226. 

Galicla,  400. 

Gamuret,  449. 

Ganelon,  375-384,  401-403,  404,  406,  407. 

Garadie,  Count  of,  313. 

Garadin,  313. 

Garden,  10,  75,  76,  79,  80,  106,  107,  no, 

113,  173,  206,  216,  222,  223. 
Garonne  (River),  400. 
Gascony,  400,  409. 

Gaul,  419.  [447,  453. 

Gawain,   438,   439,    440,    442,    445,    446, 
Gere,  238,  266. 
Gerhart,  Count,  397,  399. 
Gerlind,  Queen, -322,  331-346. 
Gepidse,  20,  25,  26,  27.  [298. 

Gemot,  237,  238,  240,  272,  273,  274,  290, 
Gerwart,  no. 
Gibich,  190. 
Giselher,   238,    265,  272,   274,   275,   276, 

281,  282,  290,  291,  292,  295,  298,  303. 
Godelinde,  303. 

Gothland,  349.  [364. 

Goths,  the,  351,  352,  353,  354,  359,  363, 
Grail,  Holy,  419,  421,  424,  425,  426,  430, 

434-440,  447,  448,  449,  450,  452,  454, 

455.  462. 

Legends  of,  419-482. 

Gramoflans,  441,  447. 

Greece,  82, 

Greeks,  the,  91,  [354,  356,  357. 

Grendel,   347,  348,   349,   351,    352,    353, 

Gudrun,  320-346. 

Guinevere,  447. 


INDEX. 


485 


Gunther,  212,  237,  238,  239,  240,  241, 
242,  251,  252,  253,  254,  255,  256,  257, 
258,  259,  261,  264,  265,  266,  268,  269, 
272,  273,  274,  275,  283,  287,  288,  290, 
292,  295,  296,  297,  298,  306. 

Gunther  (nephew),  260.  [470- 

Gurmun  (King  of  Ireland),  466,  467,  468, 

Gurnemann,  432,  433,  438. 

Gyburg,  411,  413,  416,  417. 

Hache,  114,  223. 

Hadubrand,  116. 

Hagen  of  Troye,  209,  210,  212,  213,  234, 
237.  239,  240,  241,  243,  244,  252,  254, 
256,  259,  265,  266,  267,  268,  2$9,  270, 
271,  272,  273,  274,  275,  276,  278,  279, 
280,  281,  282,  283,  284,  286,  287,  288, 
289,  290,  291,  293,  294,  295,  296,  297, 
298,  300,  304,  305,  307-314.  316,  318, 
319,  320,  322. 

Hama,  354. 

Hardred,  358,  359,  361. 

Harlungs,  the,  114,  199,  201,  224,  479. 

Hartmut,  322,   325,    327,  331,   332,   333, 

338,  339,  340,  341.  342,  345,  346. 
Haward,  289. 
Hawk's  Nose,  1 10. 
Haymon's  Children,  367-396. 
Hegeling  Legends,  307-364. 
Henne  the  Grim,  189. 
Heime,   152-157,  160,  169,  170,  171,  172, 

197,  198,  202,  204,  206,  218,  223,  224. 
Heine  (Hama),  354. 
Heinrich  of  Saxony,  King,  456,  461. 
Helche,  54,  210,  215,  275,  303. 
Helfrich,  293,  295. 
Helfrich  of  Tuscany,  146. 
Heligoland,  157. 
Hel,  V.  Helle. 
Hella  V.  Helle. 
Helle,  243,  276. 
Helmigis,  25. 
Helmnot,  295. 
Helmschrot,  208. 
Henry  of  Narbonne,  408-418. 
Herche  v.  Herka. 
Herbrand,  113,  186,  194. 
Hergart,  345,  346. 
Herka,  54. 

Hermann,  Landgrave,  478, 
Herrat,  54,  215,  221,  224,  304. 
Hertnit,  189,  192,  194. 
Herwig  of  Zealand,  325,  326,   327,  328, 

329,  331,  334,  337,  339.  342,  345. 
Herzelinde,  227,  425,  448, 
Hettel  the  Hegeling,  315-330' 
Hildburg,  82-89,  309.  [338,  339. 

Hildburg  (grand-daughter),  327,  334,  337, 
Hilde,  309,  312,  313,  314,  3I5-  3i7,  3i8. 

319.  320.  321.  32?,  326,  329,  345,  346. 


Hildebrand,  114,  135-151,  160,  161,  163, 
168,  173-178,  180,  183,  189,  191,  203, 
205,  206,  216,  219,  221,  222,  223,  294, 
295,  296,  299,  300,  303. 

Hildegunde,  83,  209-213. 

Hildeswid,  1 19,  122. 

Hirschhalle,  348. 

Hoder,  273,  276. 

Hohenstaufens,  the,  476,  477. 

Holy  Land,  396. 

Mountam,  453. 

Horand,  the  Minstrel,  315,  318,  319,  328, 
330,  340. 

Horn,  Golden  (port  of  Constantinople),  31. 

Hornboge,  160,  163,  168. 

Horselberg,  478,  479,  482. 

Horselthal,  479. 

Hrodgar,  347,  348,  351,  352,  353.  355,  356. 

Hronesnas  (Hill),  364. 

Hrunting  (Sword),  354. 

Hug  of  Dordone,  368,  371. 

Hugdieterich,  82-114. 

Hugelwarte,  90. 

Hunford,  351,  353,  355. 

Hungary,  367,  461,  478. 

Hunolt,  238. 

Hunland,  279-299. 

Huns,  the,  89,  172,  192,  194,  209,  210, 
211,  212,  215,  216,  219,  221,  275,  276, 
288,  289,  291,  292,  293. 

Hygd,  Queen,  357,  358. 

Hygelak,  349,  350,  355,  357. 

Ilmenrik,  169,  170.  [190. 

Ilsan  the  Monk,  162,  166-9,  185,  188,  189, 

Imbreke,  1 14,  201,  202. 

Imelot,  50-54. 

Ireland,  307,  316,  468. 

Irmin,  276. 

Irmschart,  Countess,  409. 

Irnfried,  of  DUringen,  289. 

Irolt,  the  Swift,  315,  316,  318,  328.330,341. 

Isenland,   233,  251,  252,   253,  255,  256, 

258,  261,  262,  265,  305,  309. 
Isenstein,  253,  255. 
Isolde,  463-74. 
Isoud  (Isolde),  466. 
Isung,  the  Minstrel,  195,  196. 
Italy,  412,  476,  477. 
Itonie,  446,  447. 
Iwanet,  431.  . 

Iwo,  Prince  of  Tarasconie,  379,  300,  384, 

385.  386. 

Janibas,  145,  147. 
Jeraspunt,  147. 
Jerusalem,  57,  396,  419* 
Jeschute,  Lady,  430. 
Joisiane,  425. 
Jovelin,  472,  473. 


486 


INDEX. 


Jutland,  347,  349. 

Mermaid,  158. 
Merman,  95,  96. 

Kaedin,  472,  473. 

Messina,  64. 

Kardeiss,  454. 

Milan,  200,  205,  206,  207. 

Kingram,  433. 

Milo,  400. 

Kiiigrimursel,  440. 

Mimer,  230. 

Kiot,  King,  425. 

Mimung  z/.  (Sword),    158,    160,    161, 

162, 

Klamide,  433,  434. 

194  ,196,  197,  198,  218. 

Klingsohr,  440,  442,  445,  446,  477-80. 

Minne,  Princess,  126. 

Knife-Man,  the,  102-6. 

Monfaucon,  386,  387,  383,  388,  393. 

Konrad,  King,  223,  476,  477. 

Montalban  (Fortress),  3S0,  381,  384, 

385. 

Koran,  410. 

386,  387,  388,  392,  393,  395. 

Konduiiamur,  Queen,  433,  434,  454. 

Montsalvatch,  425. 

Kundrie  (witch),  439. 

Moors,  409,  410,  412,  415. 

Kunemund,  21. 

Morgan,  463,  464,  465,  466. 

Kunhild,  174,  i8i,  182,  183,  184. 

Morolt,  466,  467,  469. 

Kunigunde,  476,  477,  478. 

Morung  of  NiHand,  315,  329,  330,  345. 

Kuperan  (Giant),  245,  246,  247. 

Miinchenzell,  189. 

Muntabure  Castle,  56,  57,  68,  69,  70. 

Ladmer,  King,  125. 

Lahelin,  430. 

Nagelring  (Sword),  198. 

Langobards,  20. 

Nagling  (Sword),  351. 

Laurin,  King,  1 73- 1 84. 

Nanna,  273. 

Lausitz,  226. 

Nantes,  430. 

Leitha,  Battle  of  the,  476. 

Naples,  64. 

Leo,  Pope,  411,  412. 

Narbonne,  412. 

Leopoldsdorf,  476. 

Narses,  22. 

[277. 

Leupold,  31-54.                            [113, 

114. 

Netherlands,  237,  259,  261,  263,  272, 

275. 

Liebgart,    74,    76,    79-81,    106,    lio, 

Ill, 

Niars,  157. 

Lilienporte,  Castle,  88,  91,  in,  112. 

Nibelung,  King,  235, 

Lindolt,  208. 

Nibelungs,  229-306. 

Lind-worms,  73-79,  106-III. 

Niduder,  157. 

Lodwig,  223. 

Nifland,  315. 

Logreis,  Castle,  442. 

Nordian,  194. 

Lohengrin,  453-62. 

Nordland,  315  321. 

Loherangrin,  453. 

Normandy,  322,  472. 

Lombardy,   55,   56,   60,   71,   80,  82, 

106, 

Norns,  205,  243,  272,  28 1. 

no,  113,  201,  216,  221, 

Nudung,  281. 

Longinus,  26. 

Niirnberg,  476. 

Love-potion,  470. 

Ludegast,  241,  266. 

Oda,  Queen,  50,  54,  192. 

Liideger,  241,  266. 

Odilia,  124. 

Ludwig,    King  of  Normandy,   322, 

327, 

Odin,  347  ;  v.  also  AUfather,  Wodan 

329,  340,  374,  375,  376,  409,  410, 

411, 

Ogier,  401. 

412,  414,  415. 

Ohtere,  358. 
Old-Troja,  95,  loi. 

Machorell,  57,  66,  67,  69-73. 

Olifant  (Hornj,  404. 

[406. 

Mahomet,  69. 

Olivier,  388,  398,  399,  400,  401,  404, 

405. 

Malagis,   369,    370,    371,    382,   383, 

385, 

Omlung,  V.  Amelung. 

387.  388,  391,  392,  393- 

Orange,  412,  413,  416. 

Mantua,  207. 

Osantrix,  192,  193,  194,  195,  214. 

Mark,   King  of  Cornwall,  465,   466,  468, 

Oserich,  192. 

470,  471,  472,  473. 

Osid,  192. 

Marpilia,  103,  104,  105. 

Ostrogoths,  22.                                [446, 

447. 

Marsilio,   King,  400,  402,  405,  406. 

Orgueilleuse,    Duchess  (witch),  441, 

442, 

Martin,  no. 

Orilus,  Lord,  429,  430,  438. 

Matelane,  Castle,  315,  320,  321,  325, 

326. 

Orleans,  414. 

Melias,  King  of  Huns,  192,  193, 

Ortgis,  145. 

Mentigger,  162. 

Ortnit,  55-81,  102,  106,  192. 

Meran,  91. 

Ortlieb,  278,  279,  287. 

INDEX. 


487 


Ortrun,  Princess,  531,  342,  345. 
Oitwin  (Gaoler),  1 12. 

Ortwin  of  Metz,  237,   238,  240,  242,  266, 
321,  326,  327,  339,  340. 

Padauwe,  216. 

Padua,  216. 

Pampeluna,  400,  401. 

Parille,  419.  [39'',  407- 

Paris,    367,  380,  38 1,  3S2,  383,   386,  394, 

Parmenia,  466. 

Pavia,  22,  476. 

Percival,  425-52,  454-  455.  46t. 

Peredeus  (Giant),  26-7. 

Pierlepont,  Castle,  372,  373,  374,  380,  381. 

Pinabel,  407. 

Pipin,  400. 

Portugal,  309. 

Prester  John,  453. 

Pyrenees,  372,  373, 

Raging  Host  v.  Furious  Host 
Rahen,  v.  Ravenna. 
Rainier,  398. 
Randolt,  200. 
Randwer,  199,  201. 
Raspe,  Heinrich,  477. 
Rauch-Else,  93-95. 
Raven-fight,  216-221,  295. 
Ravenna,  26,  207. 

Battle  of,  216-221,  295. 

RegenbalH,  100. 

Reinaldi  Church,  396. 

Reinhold,  204.  [Haymon. 

Reinold,  Son  of  Haymon,  v.  Children  of 

Rennewart,  416,  417. 

Repanse,  454. 

Reussen,  56,  189,  192,  214,  319. 

Rhine   (River),   liSO.    169,    201,    202,   251, 

265,  273,  279,  280,  282,  292,  298,  396, 

456,459,  461. 
Rhineland,  114,  162,  190. 
Rhone  (River),  398. 
Ribestein,  199,  200,  201,  203,  206. 
Richard,    son  of  Haymon,  v.  Children  of 

Haymon. 
Richonde,  424. 
Rimstein,  197. 
Ring  (Magic),  176. 
Rinold  of  Milan,  219,  220. 
Ritchart,  295. 
Rivalin,  463,  464,  465. 
Rodgeier,  116,  119-121.  [396-407. 

Roland,  371,  372,  379,  382,  383,  386,  395, 
Romaburg,  v.  Rome. 
Rome,  64,   125,  169,  200,  203,  206,  213, 

224,  374,  400,  412,  481. 
Ronceval,  403-407,  409. 
Rosamund,  19-27. 
Rose  Garden,  the  Great,  185. 


Rose  Garden,  the  Little,  173-1S4. 

Rosen  (Sword),  74,  76. 

Rothaires,  27. 

Rother,  King,  28-54.  [453. 

Round  Table,  430. 431,  438,  439, 442,  447, 

Rual,  463,  464,  465,  466.  473, 

Riidiger  of  Bechelaren,  189,  190,  191,  193, 

208,  214,  294,  295,  296,  303,  304, 
Rumolt,  238. 
Runes,  357. 
Ruother,  v.  Rother. 
Ruotwin,  146. 
Ruotze   71,  74,  75. 
Rype  (Knight),  387. 

Sabene,  87-92,  112,  113. 

Saforet,  379. 

Salem,  115. 

Sampsing,  v.  Samson. 

Samson,  King,  1 15-124,  222, 

Sangreal,  v.  Grail,  Holy. 

Saracens,  409,  420,  453.  454. 

Saragossa,  400,  402,  406. 

Scotland,  322. 

Schilbung,  King,  235, 

Seeburg,  Queen,  162. 

Seine  (River),  382,  394,  395. 

She-wolf  of  the  Sea,  354. 

Sibicli,  200.  203,  204,  206,  207,  223,  479. 

Sicily,  58,  64. 

Sidrat.  Princess,  57,  69-71,  79-81. 

Siegfried,  229-273,  275,  276,  277,  279, 
282,  283,  286,  287,  297,  298,  299,  304, 
305,  321,  326,  327,  341,  345,  349. 

Siegmund,  229,  230,  257,  259,  261,  262, 
270,  272. 

Siegmund  (Siegfried),  349. 

Siegwart,  229. 

Sigebrand,  208,  307,  312,  313. 

Sigelinde,  Queen,  229,  259,  260. 

Sigeminne,  92-106. 

Sigestab,  189,  203,  206,  295. 

Sigfrit,  229. 

Sigunne,  425,  429,  430,  437,  452. 

SiguriSr,  229. 

Sinai,  183. 

Sindolt,  238. 

Sintram  (DwarQ,  181. 

Skeming  (Horse),  196. 

Skioll,  343,  347.  348. 

Skioldings,  the,  348,  349,  35 1. 

Soti,  169. 

Spain,  191,  372,  406,  409. 

Spoleto,  Duke  of,  205. 

Stag,  Golden,  96,  97. 

St.  Denys,  387,  404,  412, 

Steiermark,  172. 

St.  James  the  Apostle,  400. 

Studas,  153,  154.  203. 

Sturmland,  315,  341,  346- 


488 


INDEX. 


Styria,  172,  174,  189. 

Sliders,  City  of,  64. 

Susat,  194,  208. 

Swan-garments,  280. 

Swanhild,  199,  201. 

Swan-maidens,  2S0. 

Swedes,  349,  359. 

Swemmeling,  279,  303,  304,  305. 

Swithiod  (Sweden),  358. 

Swords,  V.  Balmung,  Durindart,  Ecke-sax, 

Flammberg,  Hrunting,  Mimung,  Nagel- 

ring,  Niigling,  Rosen. 
Syria,  57. 

Tannhauser,  475-482. 

Tarasconia,  379. 

Tchionatulander,  425,  429,  430. 

Telramund,  Count  of,  455,  456,  459,  461. 

Templars  of  the  Holy  Grail,  452. 

Terramer,  416,  417. 

Terreman,  Emir,  410. 

Theoderic,  20. 

Thessalonians,  83,  85,  87. 

Thiedrich,  406,  407. 

Thuringia,  289,  478. 

Thurisind,  20. 

Tibalt,  Emir,  410,  411.  [45i>  452. 

Titurel,  419,  420,  421,  422,  424,  425,  426, 

Titurisone,  419,  420. 

Toads,  Magic,  and  eggs,  71-73. 

Tralenburg,  202. 

Transylvania,  215. 

"Trekanfil,"  198. 

Trevrezent,  425,  447,  448,  449. 

Tring,  289. 

Tristram,  463-474. 

Tristan,  v.  Tristram. 

Tronege,  209. 

Turpin,  Bishop,  379,  404.  405,  406. 

Tuscany,  64,  200. 

Tuscany,  Margrave  of,  80. 

Tyre,  64,  65. 

Tyrol,  174,  184. 

Ulen,  Battle  of,  477. 

Ute,  Queen,  207,  216,  217,  223,  23S,  239, 
242,  243,  252,  257,  258,  262,  272,  273, 
275,  276,  279,  304,  305,  30S,  313. 

Valencia,  410,  41 1. 

Valkyrs,  235,  262,  39S. 

Venus,  478,  479,  480,  481,  482. 

Verona,  v.  Bern. 

Vespasian,  419. 

Vienna,  Siege  of,  396-401. 

Vikings,  115. 

Virginal,  Queen,  146-151,  154,  183,  205. 

Vivian,  412. 


Vivianz,  412. 

Volker  of  Alzeyen,    238,    265,    266,   283, 

284,  285,  288,  289,  290,  293,  294,  295. 
Vosges,  170,  212. 
Vulcanus,  Mount,  369. 

Wachilde,  220. 

Walberan,  182,  183 

Walchtheov,  354. 

Waldemar,  King,  214. 

Waleis,  454. 

Walgund,  83,  84. 

Wali,  276. 

Walkyrs,  v.  Valkyrs. 

Walter  of  Wasgenstein,  170,  209-213. 

Walter,  404,  406. 

Wartburg  Castle,  478. 

Wasengau  (Vosges),  212. 

Wate,   315,  317,  318,  319,   320,  328,  329, 

341,  342,  345,  346. 
Waxmuth,  88,  89,  1 13.  [Smith. 

Wayland     the    Smith,     v.     Wieland    the 
Welle,  71. 
Weohstan,  359. 
Westenmer,  125. 

Westphalia,  396.  [Haymon. 

Wichart,    son  of  Haymon,  v.    Children  of 
Wichstan,  359,  362,  363. 
Widolf  (Giant),  192,  194,  195,  196. 
Widolt,  50-54.  [356,  362. 

Wieland    the  Smith,    1 52-162,    197,    230, 
Wildeber,  162,  168,  194,  195,  196.        [319. 
Wilkin-men,  191,  192,  193,  194,  195,   196, 
Wilkinus,  King,  158,  191,  192. 
William  of  Orange,  408-418. 
Wisora,  163. 
Witlich,  157-162,  163,  168,  170,  174,  175- 

178,  179,  189,  191,    194,  196,    197,    198, 

202,  204,  206,  218,  220,  275,  281. 
Wodan,  25,  31,  226,  229,  304. 
Wolfbrand,  295. 

Wolfdieterich,  87,  88,  89-114.      [294,  295. 
Wolf  hart,  174-176,  181,  189,  190,  205,  208, 
Wolfings,  206,  216,  222,  229. 
Wolfrat,  49. 
Wolfwin,  295. 
Wolpensand,  328,  345. 
Wolsung,  349. 
Worbeling,  279. 
Worms,  186,  190,  234,  237,  241,  251,  257, 

261,  262,  269,  272,  274,  299,  303,  304. 
WUlfings,  114. 

Ylyas,  56-81,  192. 
Yseult  (Isolde),  466. 

Zacharias,  58,  64,^  65. 

Zealand,  192,  325',  326,  327,  329. 


Butler  &  Tanner,  The  Selwood  Printing  Works,  Frome,  and  London. 


IV:  CI  39 


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